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Coddington, Parker Lewis Age 92, passed away on March 28th, 2014 in Sudbury, MA after a long life devoted to education, conservation, and the life of the mind. Born March 17, 1922 in Medford, MA and raised in Montclair, NJ, he was a graduate of Dartmouth College and held a Masters in Philosophy from Yale University. He went on to teach philosophy at Case Institute after which he worked at the Reading Lab in Philadelphia for almost a decade. The rest of his working life was spent in university administration at Princeton, Vanderbilt, and Harvard, from which he retired in 1992 as Director of Government Relations where he helped advance federal higher education policy and legislation. Always a citizen committed to a just society, he was active in the civil rights movement which included helping to bring a lawsuit, ultimately unsuccessful, to the U.S. Supreme Court to prohibit the building of interstate highways through low income communities. He remained active in local affairs after retirement, serving on the Sudbury Technical Advisory Committee, Land Use Planning Committee and most extensively on the Conservation Commission where he worked tirelessly to secure and protect woodlands and wetlands for future generations. He regularly and happily walked those woods as well as many others and spent many hours competing on the tennis court and much else. Married to the late Jane Seaver Coddington for more than 50 years, he is survived by his four children, Betsy (Rick Root) of Portland, OR, Jon (Linda nee Chinsley) of Philadelphia, Deborah McKinstry of Sturbridge, MA, and Jim (Jan Liss) of Eastchester, NY, as well as 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at First Parish of Sudbury on April 19th at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives and the Sudbury Valley Trustees.
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Just now seeing this and have such grateful and happy memories of the times I spent staying with his family in Nashville...what a kind and thoughtful gentleman he was.
Best wishes to his 4 kids, grandkids, and great grandkids.
David Wiggins
August 27, 2023
I just learned that Parker had died. What a wonderful, adorable and serious man he was. He and Jane were a wonderful generous and tennis playing pair and such caring friends. I remember Parker on the tennis court clutching his neck denoting that the other side of the net was "clutching" in fear of him. I remember his pristine and perfectly catalogued vinyls. I remember his smile and his laugh. Who could not have loved them both. I did and do in my memory.
Ellen Pollack
April 16, 2020
Although we attended the same college and lived in adjacent towns,I met Parker just a few years ago. We became fast friends meeting frequently for lunch at which time we settled the world's problems. I will cherish those curmudgeonly times forever...
April 16, 2014
Parker helped me to really understand the King Phillip Woods, it's history and importance. He was a great source for information. He was not afraid of work. I think he was always ready to help and to contribute. He loved the natural world, seemed to think deeply about conservation but also of how places related to people. Although I am sad to have him leave, I know that he lived what I would say was a rich and full life. If I could see him now, I would tell him that I hope to be as determined and thoughtful one day. Rebecca Chizzo /Founder,SWEET, Inc.
April 4, 2014
Deb, My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Sandy Luce
April 1, 2014
Deb, we're sorry for your loss and will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Steve & Nancy McGuiness
March 31, 2014
Deb, So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Nancy Sawyer
March 31, 2014
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