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JOHN PARRELLI Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for JOHN PARRELLI
Janet Adachi
December 12, 2022
An update to my 12/2017 post. John lives on through his legacy. My current optometrist received some training in his office and remembers him well, and an optician in our town also knew him. There must be many more such experiences among John's former patients. Tribute to a good man and life well-lived.
Diane Wald
April 20, 2022
I just learned of John´s passing and am truly sorry. He was a very special, caring, and gifted person. I will always remember him and send my condolences to his family.
Rania
October 10, 2018
So sorry to have just discovered that John passed away almost 2 years ago now. I had no idea. He was very kind and generous with his time, so full of life, and stories, and advice for my eyes. I went from contact lenses to glasses, after it became apparent that contacts were just no longer working for me. He always seemed like a friend, as well as being very professional and knowledgeable. I think I can say that I've never met anyone else like him, who cared so much for his profession and his patients, and approached them as individual people rather than patients or customers. He will be truly missed. My deepest condolences to his family, his colleagues, and his friends which I'm sure he had so many.
March 6, 2018
This is late, I know. I was just talking to a colleague about my time with Bausch & Lomb, when I was a young sales representative, and I learned that my friend John passed away....that man was awesome!
John and Karen are so nice and so generous. As a young rep in the Optical business, they were so giving to me. I remember John saying to me: it doesn't matter what you think it is... it is about the patients Great man, great family...God Bless...
Janet Adachi
December 1, 2017
My very belated, heartfelt condolences to John's family and dear friends. I just called the Cambridge office to schedule my annual checkup, and was shocked to learn that John passed away a year ago. I've been a patient for a decade, and John was unfailingly professional, attentive to detail, inquisitive and always learning new things, friendly and just plain interesting to chat with. It was under his care when I first visited the Cambridge location that I was able to make the transition successfully from rigid contact lenses, which I'd worn for decades, to soft lenses; I will be forever grateful to him for that. I will miss our conversations about the latest in contact lenses, and his worldwide travels. A truly wonderful human being and terrible loss. - Janet Adachi
Binth Rustad
June 3, 2017
Karen,
Our message was the Dec. 27th one and I neglected to add our names so you know how much John meant to us throughout the years and is deeply missed. Our doors are always open to you on Nantucket.
With love and gratitude,
Binth Rustad and Normand Berthelette
Nantucket MA
Blandine Etienne
June 2, 2017
I am so sorry to hear about this. Such a smart and kind man.
Maureen Rivieccio
January 26, 2017
I just heard about the passing of this wonderful man. My heart goes out to his family, and his wife, whom he always spoke of so lovingly. Rest in peace John. Maureen Rivieccio
January 3, 2017
I was so sorry to hear about John's passing. John always had a smile and a friendly hello for all. I've been apart of Parrelli Optical for over 20 years doing business with the staff and John
I will miss his kindness and generosity
With my deepest sympathy, Nancy Mahoney
Linda Chappell
December 31, 2016
It was with great sadness that I learned of John's passing. My family has been going to Parrelli Optical for close to twenty years. John was a uniquely sunny person and always a pleasure to see at the office. He was a true gentleman, always making one feel comfortable and at ease when you were with him. My family and I send our deepest sympathies to John's family and all the good people at Parrelli Optical.
December 27, 2016
I am stunned and saddened and there are never the adequate words to say to you, his family, whom he loved passionately.
John was my friend for 40 years. I moved to Boston in 1975 and found John a few months later when my son and I needed glasses. He gave us the best advice and care and we have always counted on him to take care of our eyes and along with that came his wonderful spirit. We always had to allow at least 2 hrs. a visit between testing and stories, catching up on our lives.
If John was not working, I'd hear about what he was doing for the kids, his parents or Karen. Or else he was traveling, either with Karen or their daughter and I'd think how lucky they all are to have such a tight, fun-loving family.
He had a remarkable way with people and made us all feel special, as busy as he was. I'd come in for "our hug" at least 1x a year, commiserate over our aging eyes and bodies and always with a lot of laughter. And my husband switched so he could see Margot and John so we'd know he had the best care. With so much change in our lives over the years, John was one of the few steady people I counted on to always be there and I never thought I'd grow older without him.
Our deepest sympathies to Karen, Johathan and Andrea and Joel and the rest of the family for your tremendous loss. John will always be in our hearts and prayers and I am most grateful for his friendship throughout all these years and will always miss him.
John
December 22, 2016
I'm so saddened by this news, John was a wonderful, caring person. I looked forward to every office visit not just because he did a great job, but because visits were always fun. John had a passion for his work and his patients. A great man.
Danielle Vigeant
December 21, 2016
I am so sad to hear of John's passing. He was so kind over the years and recently to my baby who came along to my appointment. I loved hearing all of his wonderful stories of his (obviously) very cherished grandchildren. All of John's family & friends are in my thoughts and prayers. I will miss how excited he would get in educating me on my eyes and learning so much each visit. I hope each of you can find comfort knowing that he has touched so many lives and will never be forgotten.
Wendy Ford, FCLSA
December 21, 2016
My sincerest sympathies - John's passion for his field and the education of others will always be remembered. He will be greatly missed.
December 21, 2016
I stopped by the Cambridge store today and was saddened to see the notice that John had passed away. I have been a patient of Parrelli Optical for almost 30 years and am truly devastated by this news. My deepest sympathies to Karen and John's family and work family. I'm going to miss that smiling face when I visit the Cambridge store. R.I.P John. I will truly miss you.
Jo-Ann Eichelroth
Veronica Brown
December 20, 2016
I am so sorry to learn of John's passing. I have been a contact lens patient of his for many years. I always enjoyed my visits with him and felt very well taken care of in his consultation. A great loss for all of us.
Veronica Brown
December 20, 2016
Dear Karen, Jonathan and family. We're so very sorry to learn of John's passing. John was a dedicated health care provider, philanthropist and a true leader within our profession. He will be truly missed by his patients, colleagues and all who knew him. Our most sincere thoughts are with you.
-Skip & Jenney Rivard
December 20, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology.
Evelyn french Jan Saponaro
December 20, 2016
John will be missed greatly by all who knew him. He was a true gentleman and professional. He comes from a large family and we all loved him.
Peter Rapoza
December 19, 2016
The physicians, optometrists and staff at Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston were so saddened to learn that John passed away. He was loved by his patients and appreciated and respected by his colleagues. John's loss will have great impact on his family, his peers and the community. His dedication to his profession helped countless individuals enjoy good vision which would not have been possible without his genuine caring for his patients. Words cannot sooth your loss, but do know that John will always be remembered as a great man and eye care professional. Our thoughts are with you.
Sincerely,
Peter A, Rapoza, MD
Courtney Smith
December 19, 2016
So sorry to hear of this loss. John was an excellent optician. He was a great advisor and will be missed by all of us at the OAM meetings. I will pray for family and friends during this time of mourning. John's memory will not fade, he will continue to live on in the hearts of the many he has supported and helped. His legacy is strong.
Lara Collins
December 19, 2016
Dr. Parelli was such a kind person, and a true professional. I always enjoyed our conversations during yearly exams at the Beverly office. I could tell that he was a real "people person" who was just as good as listening as he was at chatting. My condolences to his lovely wife, Karen, who I also had the pleasure to meet and work with. I am so impressed with the business that they created together...it truly has a family feel. My deepest sympathies to all those who will miss him.
Nancy Borsetti
December 19, 2016
John Parrelli was the ultimate professional. No other contact lens specialist could properly fit me and then I met John. I started seeing John in the early 70's (yes, 46 years ago) when he started out in his dad's house. I have not seen anyone else since. He is the only one who finally prescribed comfortable contact lenses for me. I loved John's travel stories and his love of family. I always looked forward to my appointments with him so we could catch up on each other's families. John ~ you were absolutely the best. I will miss your humor, your laughs, and your compassion. Your life was cut short way too soon. I miss you already. Karen, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. John is loved by so many. My deepest condolences. xxoo
December 19, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss. He was such a leader and kind soul. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dr. Susan Tomasino, O.D.
Ellen Clay
December 19, 2016
I am shocked and saddened to hear about John. I've been a patient for over 30 years. Besides being phenomenal at his profession, he was a great person. I came to consider him a friend and looked forward to our visits which were frequent when trying to get the perfect contact lens fit/vision. He was the best!! John will be missed on so many levels. My sincere condolences to his family.
Kim Armstrong
December 19, 2016
I am shocked and saddened to hear this. I started seeing John in the Gloucester office when I was very young, and then continued to see him for many years after that in the Beverly office. Since moving to the Merrimack Valley I transitioned to the Andover office where his colleagues have been excellent. It was always a pleasure to see John, and it was evident he had a true passion for his work. My thoughts are with John's friends, family and co-workers.
John surrounded by Massachusetts Opticians at Opticon earlier this year.
December 19, 2016
Patrick Goughary, FCLSA
December 19, 2016
John was a leader in the contact lens field, and a true philanthropist. He will be dearly missed.
KELLEY
December 19, 2016
MAY THE THOUGHT OF KNOWING THAT FRIENDS AND FAMILY SHARE IN YOUR GRIEF BE OF COMFORT TO YOUR FAMILY.PLEASE READ PROV 17:17
Debbie Hoffman
December 18, 2016
I've been a longstanding patient of the Parrelli's for 19 years that I can count on, when I was first diagnosed with something I had never heard of, and my ophthalmologist referred me to John Parrelli. He was the utmost professional, taking endless amounts of time to explain the medical and day-to-day changes and adjustments I would make with state-of-the-art lenses.
He was extremely learned, funny, compassionate and just plain wonderful. I know his son Jonathan won't mind me saying I was close to panicky when he "turned me over to him" as I was geographically closer to see his son, rather than himself. (John) I think it's safe to say Jonathan is close to a carbon copy of his dad, and a wonderful human being in his own right.
I know some of the "other" Parrellis, think very highly of the whole family, and felt privileged to be a patient of his. This was a life cut too short. May he rest in peace.
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