Paul B. Parker

SOUTH ROYALTON—Paul B. Parker, 72, died Thursday morning, Oct. 25, 2007 at his home, after a long battle with lung cancer.

He was born March 18, 1935 in Brookfield, the son of Willis E. and Glenna Mae (Kennett) Parker. He went through the eighth grade before he started working, milking and doing chores at Bud Holmes’ Farm in Chelsea.

He married Roberta Andress, August 30, 1958 in Hartford. They made their home in South Royalton, where they lived their entire married lives. He worked at several area woolen mills, the longest at the Hartford Woolen Mill. Later, he did carpentry and electrical work with his friend Alec Boles.

He started his long career as an electrical contractor in 1979 and soon became a master electrician. He worked installing and servicing water heaters for Central Vermont Public Service for over 30 years. During this time, he also operated his own private electrical business out of South Royalton. He officially retired in late November of 2006, due to his illness, but even with his declining health, continued to do some electrical work for special customers and friends.

He served for nine years with the Vermont National Guard at the Northfield Armory. He was a Scout Master for Troop 254 of South Royalton for over eight years, and was a member of the Heartland Lions Club for many years.

He enjoyed pitching horseshoes, bowling, and spending time with his family, especially at his camp in Alburg, on Lake Champlain. He also loved to hunt, fish, play cards, especially poker and was a good pool player, as well.

He was predeceased by an infant brother, Clinton Parker; infant sister, Iren Parker; brother, Clayton Parker; and sister, Doris Bjorkman.

Survivors include his wife, of South Royalton; a daughter, Cindy Ellis of Bradford; two sons, Tim Parker of Royalton and Gregory Parker of Graniteville; 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, a brother, Edward Parker of Hartford; eight sisters: Lottie Chubbuck of White River Jct., Marion Gilman of Chelsea, Ruth Brown of Braintree, Evelyn Green of Merideth, N.H., Jean Flint of Albany, Phyllis Boles of South Royalton, Joyce Potwin of North Pomfret, and Nancy Potwin of Hartland; and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours were held Sunday, Oct. 28 at the Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home on Main Street in Chelsea. A funeral service was held Monday, Oct. 29 at the United Church of South Royalton. Rev. James Proctor officiated and Phyllis Potter was the organist. Paul’s niece, Julie Stark, read remarks from his wife Bert. Fiddler Harold Luce played "Wildwood Flower" and "Beer Barrel Polka," accompanied by his daughter, Donna Weston, on the piano. Paul’s son, Greg, spoke about his dad, and granddaughter Echo read "There Lived A Man," about her grandfather. Many other friends and family spoke about him.

Burial was at the Branchview Cemetery in South Royalton. The bearers were his sons, Tim and Greg Parker; his son-in-law, Don Ellis; his grandson, Timothy Parker; and his nephews, Stanley Parker and Ron Warner. Following the burial, a time of fellowship and refreshments was held at the Royalton Academy building.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Visiting Nurse Alliance of Vt. & N.H., 20 South Main Street, White River Jct., Vt. 05001; or to the South Royalton Rescue Squad, c/o Corinne Ingraham, 52 Roberts Road, South Royalton, Vt. 05068.

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