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David J. Parcells

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Providence College

David Parcells Obituary

PARCELLS David J. Parcells, 49 of Branford, previously of Madison, passed away Saturday, April 21, 2007 while competing in the Tampa Bay Marathon Swim in Florida. He was born April 15, 1958 in New Haven. He was the son of Robert and Miriam (Quinn) Parcells of Milford and Jensen Beach, Fla. David is survived by his parents; his loving children, Jenna and Matthew Parcells; brother, Robert Parcells and wife, Beth, of Wallingford; and sister, Paula Wendland and husband, Edward, of Charlotte, N.C. David is also survived by his three nephews and niece, William and Sarah Parcells, and Edward and Eric Wendland; loving aunts; uncles; and friends from around the world. David graduated from West Haven High School in 1976 and graduated from Providence College in 1980. David earned his CPA in 1982 and was a senior manager with Arthur Andersen, VP of Swiss Army Brands and most recently CFO of Garrity Industries of Madison. David was an accomplished athlete. He completed the 1989 Iron Man Triathlon in Hawaii. David was the first non-professional swimmer to complete the Long Island Swim crossing and is the current record holder as the oldest person to complete a double-crossing of the English Channel. David became the marathon swim director of the St. Vincent's Medical Center Swim Across the Sound, which has raised more than two million dollars for cancer. The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 29, 2007 from 2 to 7 p.m. in the Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral Mass in St. Margaret's Catholic Church, 24 Academy St.reet, Madison on Monday, April 30, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Vincent's Medical Center, 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport CT 06606 with checks payable to: Swim Across the Sound. You may direct your donations to either cancer or MS in memory of Mr. David Parcells. Please visit MeM.com for more information.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Connecticut Post on Apr. 26, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for David Parcells

30 Entries

Michaela Gordon

May 3, 2024

Love you Dave!

Michaela Gordon

April 20, 2019

I miss you Dave and you are always in my heart. You meant so much to me and Im grateful to have known you. Thank you for being so wonderful. ❤

Jane Zee-Zoufaly

May 5, 2007

Dave-

To one of the first friends that I made when I moved here 5+ years ago, I will always have fond memories of Yale Masters and kicking alongside each other and chatting away..you pacing me on what seemed to be the forever One Hour swim..co-race directing the terrific Bethany duathlon..hanging out with the kids on the beach in Jupiter , FL and working out with the North Palm Beach Masters...lots of great times together. I will miss hearing your voice as I cross the finish line at Griskus or Mossman or the awesome Madison Tri. You will be so missed but you have inspired me to do more to give back, and I promise to carry on in your name. I will miss you friend, but I will never forget you.

Love, Jane

kathy

May 3, 2007

What a wonderful thing that Dave was doing to help others. Thoughts and prayers are with your family. Hard to believe that is has been more than 27 since graduation from Providence College.

Maggie Scalzo

May 1, 2007

Dave was a wonderful man. My thoughts and prays are with his family and friends.
Maggie Scalzo

Michael D'Addetta

May 1, 2007

Truly an inspirational person Dave's legacy is a long one.
He will not be forgotten.

katie brennan

April 30, 2007

dave was amazing person with many accomplishments. he will be missed and always in my prayers.

Sheila Bonanno

April 30, 2007

Dave was an amazing person. My encounters with Dave were always so caring and gentle. He had this wonderful way when you spoke with him, as if your topic was of great importance, even if there were 20 other people in the room. Most of my experiences were seen thru other eyes, but the few I had personally were genuine and unforgettable.

Flavia Zappa

April 30, 2007

Thoughts and prayers.

Eric and Kathleen Uscinski

April 30, 2007

Whether breaking through the line during Dave's boyhood days in the West Haven/Orange Midget Football league or cheering us on during the Madison Mile, Dave's spirit and determination, motivate us still. Dave, you will be missed, but never forgotten.

George Dickerson

April 29, 2007

Dave,
I will miss our swims when you used to keep looking back to make sure I was staying afloat. I will miss Friday night Corona’s, your expert grill cooking, Gorgonzola cheese burgers, and your humorous announcements whenever I finished a race. Most of all, I will miss your constant encouragement and the great example you set for all of us by simply being you. You are gone now, but your memories will last forever.

Scott Casper

April 29, 2007

Dave was a truly remakable man. His work ethic and leadership was an inspiration to us all. He made us all better people through his leadership and many good deeds. He touched many individual lives and his legacy will last a long time.
Scott Casper

Michaela Gordon

April 29, 2007

I am so grateful to have had Dave as a friend. I know he challenged me to do the unthinkable and was always supportive. He was a great father, friend, and athlete. I will miss him so much and hope that all of us as his friends can continue to give to the world in the way that he did.
I will miss you very much Dave.
Love,
Michaela

Pete, Casey and Brooke DeGeorge

April 29, 2007

Dave was a wonderful man and will forever be remembered in our hearts.

Ed Tucker

April 29, 2007

I knew Dave from triathlon for many years since we both raced Ironman back in the 80's . I really got to know him over the last 6 months . His courage and positive attitude in the face of adversity were amazing . We were supposed to ride when he returned from Tampa and he was going to help me with my swim stroke .I'll really miss that . Ed Tucker MD

Mike Ganino

April 28, 2007

I will always remember Dave as a quality guy, one who never sat on the sidelines and watched the action...he made things happen. To his family...Dave has made a difference in many people's lives and will always be remembered and respected as a wonderful and giving person. Dave, we will miss you. All I can say is that Heaven is truly a better place with Dave there.

Susan Zollin

April 28, 2007

Dave brings me back to the begining of my race career. Where I met Dave, Mark Guihuly & Scott Rosner. After the first Milford Triathlon they too me under their wing and we became Team Beasley. Dave was there for the organization of the team, he was a part of Chapman Bicycle, where Chris Gillis, the owner would be a large part of our support, and Dave in return, was to Chris. Dave became a race organizer/director and his heart & soul went totally into the needs of the race series. Dave loved his children unconditionally and it was always a pleasure to see them at the races when they would be there.We all took our racing to different levels and directions but we will always have the bond that brings us back to the start of the Milford Triathlons and our bike shop. Thankyou Dave for the memories that will live on always. We all know you are still with us every stroke along the way.

scott rosner

April 28, 2007

Dave,
The hearing of your loss really got to me. It made me think of the fragility of our lives and how precious it is. You and I go way back to the early 80's and had some great times "trailblazing" the triathlon scene in CT along with Mark Gilhuly.
You were an inspiration to me over these last few years and though we kinda lost touch over the years, your face and smile always made me feel good.
I'll sincerely miss you. My prayers to all of your family

Mary Dunn

April 27, 2007

Dave was the single most humble, good hearted,kind,altruistic person I have ever met. Dave was a giant of a man.
MaryD

Jeff Magouirk

April 27, 2007

Dave,

You and I swam in the 2005 Tampa Bay swim. We had to get out at the nine mile mark. I was worried about being strong enough for a English Channel attempt, you said I could. Those words inspired me for my successful Catalina Channel crossing and my 14 hour English Channel attempt. We emailed a number of times since. I will miss you much

Nick Olmos-Lau

April 27, 2007

I was so sorry to hear the terrible news of Dave’s passing. A real calamity.
Dave left us us doing what he loved most. Dave was tough swimmer gifted with legendary endurance. I remember the day I met him at the beach in Dover. He had just finished his first crossing, in the most horrible conditions. In the most humble tone he said it was the toughest thing he had ever done. That day no-one was able to make it but him.
A great man loved by many. His devotion and kindness to people struck with awful disease was admirable. I was privileged to witness the gratefulness of the Bridgeport community and St Vincent Hospital in Bridgeport CT. to Dave. Those pre-swim orientations for the Swim across the Long Island Sound-his baby-were a tribute to his labor of love, and a testimony of gratitude from the community.
He introduced each one of us taking part in his event as memebers of his family.
His kindness, attentiveness, generosity and concern were incomparable.
We weren't there to Swim the Sound. We were there for our friend Dave and to support his work. I will truly miss him. May the memory of his presence replace in time the sorrow in our hearts.

Nick

Nick Olmos-Lau MD
Washington DC 4/23/07

Susan Wilkinson-Megaw

April 26, 2007

Dave, I looked for you and recognized you everywhere I swam, and there you were, in the water.
I will miss you, but I will still look for you in the water...and I know you'll be there.

Cheryl Wagner

April 26, 2007

Dave;
You were an inspiration as well as a nice person. It was so nice to meet you at the 2002 Potomac Swim. You will be missed.

Marcia, Mark, Julia, & Sam Cleveland Green

April 26, 2007

Dave,
You were such an example to all of us in every dimension of your life. It's so hard to think that your calm confidence won't prevail over the Long Island Sound. You will be greatly missed.

Henry Eckstein

April 26, 2007

Dave

Thank you for being a friend and for inspiring me. You are a remarkable soul and the memory of you will live with me for a long time.

Sarah Humphreys

April 26, 2007

Thank You Dave for being such an inspiration. If it wasn't for you, I would have never swam the sound.
You will be truly missed.

Sally and 'Charlie' Gravett

April 26, 2007

Both Sally and I are going to miss a great friend and exceptional sportsman. Our thoughts and love go out to Jenna, Matthew and the rest of Dave's family. Also to his large circle of friends at this tragic time. We only had the privilidge of knowing Dave for a short while, yet his personality and friendship will long be cherished by not only Sally and I but also his great many friends on the island of Jersey and in Great Britain.
Thanks for being a pal and a real sportsman. The oceans will be a little lonelier from now on.
God bless you mate!
Sally and 'Charlie'
Jersey
British Channel Islands

Kerri Morris

April 26, 2007

Thank you for having inspired and helped so many others, both swimmers and those affected by cancer.

Jim Bayles

April 26, 2007

Dave was a great friend and a person who challenged everone around him to be a better person. He will sorely be missed, not only for his friendship, but also for all the great work he did to help others.
Love,

Randy Nutt

April 26, 2007

David, by living your dreams you became an inspiration to all of us.
You always gave back...thanks!
My prayers go to your family.

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