Peter E. Parker
PARKER, Peter E., 74, PRESQUE ISLE, April 10, 2016. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Presque Isle, on May 23 at 10 a.m. Arrangements are under the care of Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, Fort Fairfield.
PRESQUE ISLE – Peter E. Parker died Sunday morning, April 10, 2016, at his home on Blake Street. He was steadfast in his fight with cancer, facing it with same strength and optimism as he did most everything in life. He was born too teeny to imagine on August 15, 1941, in Fort Fairfield, his mother Madeline (Murphy) Parker nurturing him until he grew into a sweet bear of a man. Lewis was his father’s name.
Peter graduated from Presque Isle High School in 1961, became a potato farmer on the Johnson Road in Presque Isle and later owned and operated an earthmoving service in Presque Isle. He was a long-time member of the Presque Isle Elks Lodge because he was benevolent and protective. He was also pretty opinionated, but he could hold a quiet, deep conversation if you could manage it.
Peter generously shared his love of guitar playing and singing at Elks’ Christmas and Fourth of July celebrations, Mapleton Daze festivals, fundraisers and for nursing home residents, going wherever people needed a little uplifting. Music often floated on the air on summer evenings when he and his talented friends gathered at his and Rhonda’s home, which he proudly called the “Irish Shack.”
Peter was a reader and loved watching WWII movies and documentaries. Most remarkable was his vast circle of close friends; so many that they can’t be listed here, but you know who you are. He welcomed everyone, two-legged and four-legged, with tremendous hospitality. He knew God as a close friend too.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Parker was predeceased by three brothers, William, Adrian “Len” and Philip Parker; three sisters, Gertrude Smith, Sally Hersey and Louise Beebe.
He is survived by his beloved companion of twenty-one years, Rhonda Dela-
no of Presque Isle; his former wife, Ana Dana of South Portland; one sister and brother-in-law, Joann and Ronnie Everett of Manassas, VA; three stepchildren, Jocelyn Dana-Thomas and her husband, Gareth, Daniella Dana and her companion, Peter, all of Mass., Honey McKenney and her husband, James of Presque Isle; four step-grandchildren, Gwendolyn Aurora Dana Thomas of Mass., Olivia Ecker of Madawaska, Owen Delano and Avah McKenney, both of Presque Isle; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rhonda and family wish to extend their sincere thanks for the kindness and support given by TAMC’s Aroostook Cancer Care staff, Dr. Ronald Rohe, the Jefferson Cary Cancer Center staff, Dr. Allan Espinosa, Victoria Grover of Full Circle Health Care, Dr. Daniel Cassidy from Bangor, and the Visiting Nurses of Aroostook for hospice care in his last days.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Main Street, Presque Isle, on May 23 at 10 a.m. Afterward, there will be a gathering of family and friends at the Elks Lodge. Bring your guitars, your songs and your wildest stories. Certainly Hotel California will be on the playlist.
Rather than sending flowers, please contribute a gift in memory of Mr. Parker to the Central Aroostook Humane Society, 26 Cross Street, Presque Isle, ME 04769 or to C-A-N-C-E-R (Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery) P.O. Box 811, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gibersondorseyfuneralhome.com.
