Obituary of Joseph William A. Parker

Joseph William A. Parker, 83, of Putnam, formerly of E. Woodstock, beloved husband of Sara (Gifford) Parker for 59 years, passed away at Matulaitis Nursing Home surrounded by his loving family on Friday, July 17th, 2015.
He was predeceased by two brothers: Raymond of Florida, and Henry, who died while serving in Korea. He is survived by his wife Sara and his children (and spouses): Mark (Natalie) of Woodstock; Joy (Bob) of South Windsor; Timothy (LeAnn) of Columbus, NE; Shawn (David) of Providence, RI; Matthew of Danielson: his brother, Lester (Alice) of Plainfield; his sister-in-law Priscilla (Gifford) Butler of Dudley, MA; his nine granddaughters, fourteen great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was born March 26, 1932 in Lowell, VT to Raymond and Marion (Cote) Parker, one of four brothers.
As a teenager, he joined Boy Scout Troop 21 and became an Eagle Scout in 1948. Years later he served as a Scout Leader for Cub Scout Pack 27 in Woodstock and BSA Troop 25 in Putnam. He encouraged every scout to work hard to become an Eagle Scout, reminding them that it was a great asset in getting ahead and earning and respect in life. He joined the Army as soon as he was able, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant and proudly served in Germany with the 12th Infantry Regiment and in the 29th RCT in Korea and Okinawa. He worked as a welder and draftsman at General Dynamics Electric Boat, studied drafting and became a design draftsman for Combustion Engineering in Windsor, CT.
Joe loved the Lord Jesus and was an active member of the Living Faith United Methodist Church in Putnam, where he was Lay Leader and led youth ministries for many years. He served as a Local and District Lay Speaker, preaching and leading worship services when needed. He was a member of the New England Assembly of the Laity and a delegate to the New England Annual Conference, regional Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference, and international United Methodist General Conference. He served on the executive committee of the New England United Methodist Men, the General Board of Discipleship, and on the UMC Native American Comprehensive Plan committee. He served as a Woodstock town constable; Justice of the Peace; and served on the Woodstock Republican Town Committee. After his retirement from CE he served as Youth Mentor with United Community and Family Services of Northeastern CT helping to counsel fatherless boys from broken families.

Joe was an active member of the American Legion Benson-Flugel Post #111 and loved working as a mentor with the American Legion Boys’ State Program and serving in the honor guard at local parades and events. He was proud of his Native American Abenaki heritage, learning to make dreamcatchers during his church-related visits to western Native American reservations. As Spirit Eagle (Joe’s Abenaki name), he crafted hundreds of dream catchers, each personalized for family, friends, neighbors, scouts and caregivers. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, playing softball, dartball, and rooting for the UConn basketball teams, the Red Sox, and the Patriots; but above all Joe loved to flash his smile, curl his moustache, and tell people about Jesus. His family wishes to thank all his caregivers for their wonderful care and support, especially those at Day Kimball Hospital and Matulaitis Nursing Home, where Dad was given your gentle strength, reassuring concern, and support to his loved ones which eased the challenges we faced at the end.
There are no calling hours; there will be a memorial service on Saturday, August 8th at 2:00 pm at the Living Faith United Methodist Church, 53 Grove St., Putnam, CT. Burial will be in Grove Street Cemetery at a later date. The family asks that donations in Joe’s name be made to Living Faith United Methodist Church, attention of Ann K. Peterson, Living Faith UMC/Troop 25.