BORN

1944

DIED

2012

FUNERAL HOME

Evans Funeral Chapel - Anacortes

1105 32nd Street

Anacortes, Washington

BRUCE PARKINSON Obituary

On Saturday, the 20th of October 2012, Bruce Parkinson took a walk down the trail into eternity.

He was born March 21, 1944 in Mount Vernon, Washington, to Bernard and Ethel Parkinson.

Bruce grew up at the end of Amick Road with his older brother Bob. There his love for the outdoors was born and nurtured.

After graduating from Mount Vernon High School, where he met some of his closest friends for life, Bruce attended WWU.

In 1966 Bruce joined the Navy where he was honorably discharged in 1970. He then returned to Skagit County, where he met his wife Christine. They were married April 14, 1973. Several years later Bruce began both his family and his career at the Texaco/Shell refinery. Bruce loved living the next 35 years in Anacortes, where he raised his three children, Nate, Pete and Rachel. While working at the refinery, he met more close friends.

He enjoyed biking, golfing and sitting with friends on his back deck sipping a drink. Bruce could also be found walking one of his three constant companions Goose, Max, or Watson along the trails of the Anacortes Forest Lands or riding his bicycle around Fidalgo Island.

Bruce was adored by his wife and children, and especially by his grandchildren, Sydney, Cooper, Bennett, and Amelia. He was affectionately known as Pop pop or Pappa. He would say that he didn't need big fancy vacations anymore. He was content to sit in one of the adirondack chairs he built, in his immaculate back yard and talk with friends, watch his grandchildren play and throw the ball to his dog.

An informal gathering to celebrate Bruce's life will be held at the Seafarers' Memorial Building in Anacortes. It will begin at approximately 2:00 pm Saturday, October 27, 2012.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Bruce, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.

Published by Skagit Valley Herald on Oct. 25, 2012.
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Great memories, honoured to have known Bruce but sadly for such a short time. Great smile!!

Philip D Parkinson

Family

October 19, 2021

March 17, 2013

Bruce Parkinson

December 31, 2012

Bruce, I am going to miss you dearly. I have very fond memories of the good times we had together in our years together in Mount Vernon and then on occasions too infrequent throughout the rest of our lives. What great parents we had although we must have driven them nuts! The gas can that caught fire, the sheep in the house from leaving the door open, hosing down the ducks to get their reaction, the before dawn treks to the barn to milk the cows, getting to the prune tree before Mom. You know what I mean. Really good goofy times growing up together with lots of laughs and on occasion a tear. Then the college years, with the jeep – really started in high school but mostly in college when we were home together. Red, right rear spring welded back higher than it should have been, always ready for the next night out either in the woods or cruisin' main street. You know, maybe they have Tokay where you are, gone here that I know of, probably because we gave it such a bad name on occasion.
My career in the Navy kept us at a distance for the remainder of our lives but never so far that we could not get together by phone or by email and even a cross country trip to the homeland of Skagit Valley to renew our bond (and compare hairy backs – my second lost bet of that day). Over the past several years I appreciated your occasional call to discuss your growing family, your latest project in and around your home, and of course the Washington weather. I think you got Dad's gift for gab. I am going to miss those calls an awful lot, more that those around us will ever know. You were my anchor to the land and location that has always been my roots and tether wherever I have been. Even now, I have a yearning for the solitude of the dense Doug Fir forest and the alpine meadows where you hiked with me for my refreshere on Cascade beauty. I really had started to look forward to more visits with you and Chris and to hike yet another path in the world's most beautiful mountains.
Darn!!! I am missing you already. One of your last emails to me was your regret for not seeing Mike McKeehan before he passed away. I now am having the same regret - I have been putting off duty and responsibility to us to make more frequent trips to see you. I suppose if they had not been filled with so much fun, I would not have these regrets but I do and a lot had to do with you and our close relationship when young that extends to today.
You will be missed dearly, Bruce. By Chris, Nate, Pete, Rachael, Katie, Michelle, Sydney, Cooper, Bennett, Amelia, Trish, Scott, Bruce, Amy, Stephanie, and my grand children whom you never met, Skylar, Yonas, Finn and Brigid. And that is just those of your and my families. You have left behind an extended family of friends that joined us at the celebration of your life. It was a wonderful out pouring of love and affection for one fine man, husband, father, grandfather and brother. You have left behind one wonderful family and family of friends who all were touched and benefited from your concern for them. I regret that you have left us for now but I will always cherish my memories of our time together. As I have been writing, I have been oscillating between smiles and tears – I think you know what I mean. Love always, Bro Bob

October 31, 2012

So sorry to hear of Bruce's death. He was always one of "those special people". Where have all of the years gone?

Darcy Wells

October 30, 2012

I am so sorry to learn of your loss. Bruce was one of the finest gentlemen I have had the pleasure to work with. He was respected and like by everyone who knew him.

Rod Walsh

October 29, 2012

Chris, Nate, Pete and Rachel, I'm so sorry for your loss. Bruce was a good man, Rachel was always telling how he helped her out and encouraged her to do right. My deepest sympathy to all of you.

Brandy Burr Carr

October 29, 2012

I am glad I knew Bruce parkinson. He made my life a better one, by knowing him.
Bruce Parkinsom was my sage, I will miss his smile and friendship.
We shared many times together famly vacations,Skiing at Mt Baker,to name a few.
I never dreamed he would beat me to the other side, I will miss him greatly.

John Slostad

October 26, 2012

Bruce, Now the drives are all straight, and the greens are flat... Will miss the times.

Marc Feldbrugge

October 26, 2012

I first met Bruce doing what all Valley kids do, picking strawberries. We went to high school together and than one day I ran into him at the refinery. I am so glad that I had the chance to talk to him at length at our 50 year reunion. Bruce was a class act and I will miss him. My condolences to all of his family. Anchors away old friend.

Don Dills

October 26, 2012

Bruce was a good and true friend. He succeeded at life, raising a wonderful family, and maintained optimism and cheer. Not all that easy and, in my view, most admirable. His passing was a horrible shock and I shall miss him greatly.

Jerry Metcalf

October 26, 2012

Bruce was a good coworker,a very smart and intelligent person. I worked with Bruce for 15 years and he always had a smile but when he was concerned about something he would look over his glasses. That was Bruce. He was a very stylish dresser for the job. The last time I saw Bruce was at some retirement gathering and his words to me as we shook hands before leaving were "Enjoy the rest of your Life" My sincere prayers go out to the family at this time. Emilio(Amigo)Aguilar

October 26, 2012

Cousin Bruce will be missed very much by his English family. Sophie and I met Bruce & Bob for the first time about 5 years ago. We had discovered that we were all descended from James Parkinson who lived in a tiny hamlet in Yorkshire and by some fluke managed to find each other. We visited Maryland and Bruce flew over to meet us with Bob. We loved them both immediately. Bruce's face seemed to be permanently smiling. They were fabulous hosts and introduced us to the wonderful combination of beer, crab and a bunch of tools!!! Rest in peace, cousin. We will miss you.

Philip Parkinson

October 26, 2012

I was stunned to learn of Bruce's passing. The last time I saw Bruce was last year as I drove past him on Bayview Road. He was standing with his bicycle stopped at a stop sign with Jeff Morris. In my mind, this was pretty normal for Bruce and Jeff, here they were in Bayview having come from Anacortes, just for a ride. I never road with Bruce, but I did work a good number of shifts with him as we partnered as Shift Supervisors for “D” team in the refinery for about 6 years or more.
For all the years and all the shifts that Bruce and I worked together, Bruce treated everyone with respect and honesty at all times, in the refinery, to say this was a challenge, is a gross understatement. Through all those years, I learned a great deal about the refinery from Bruce and I learned a lot about Bruce.
To pass along just one of my observations; Bruce loved his wife and loved his family. This was obvious, not just one or two days a week, or on holidays, it was everyday. He talked of doing laundry, or cleaning the house, before a graveyard shift or having a meal ready for Chris before she got home from work. He spoke with a great deal of pride whenever he spoke about his kids whether it was High School, College or beyond. I know Bruce will be missed, but what can be better said about a man, than he loved and was loved by all those who knew him.

Harry Ferrier

October 25, 2012

I am sadden by Bruce's passing. The last time I saw his ever-smiling face was at band practise back in 1961. I graduated and went on to WSU and flew in the Navy, but have thought often of "whatever happended to Bruce & Bob?"

I wish I could be at his service, as I always enjoyed his company as we sat next to each other for 3 years in band at MVHS.

I have still call MV my home although I have lived all over the East coast and SFO for 20 years being in corporate sales. I have retired in Gulf Shores, Alabama near Pensacola, Florida.

Please give my best to Bruce's family and to Bob too. Bruce was a quality Guy and I am am sure he will be greatly missed by his family. I feel honored to have known him,

David DeMeyer

October 25, 2012

I was sadened to hear of Bruce's passing. We worked together at the Puget Sound Refinery many years ago. We were "young bucks" on the Crude Unit together and car pooled in the early days. Always even tempered and always a pleasure to be around, Bruce will be missed by all who knew him. To his family, thanks for sharing him over the years.

Rick Latham

October 25, 2012

Bruce will be greatly missed. We have been close friends since high school days, part of each others lives and families. Bruce always wanted to know why and how about everything. A great source of constant and interesting conversation. I will miss that most.

Dick Smith

October 25, 2012

Saddened to hear about Bruce. We were friends since the first grade and recently got to be with him at our 50th H.S. reunion in August and had a wonderful time sharing our childhood experiences. My heart goes out to the family in your loss.

Mike Rimmer

October 25, 2012

I'll miss you Dad (Pop Pop)

October 25, 2012

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