Gerrit B. Parker Sr.

Gerrit B. Parker Sr.

AGE: 73 Bradenton, Fla.

Gerrit B. Parker Sr., died peacefully in his sleep, next to his loving wife, Barbara Z. Parker, while on vacation with friends in Costa Rica on Friday, Feb. 11, 2011, at the young age of 73. Gerrit was born Feb. 9, 1938 in Stamford, Conn. and grew up in Pompton Plains, NJ. After high school, Gerrit enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served four years aboard the USS Ranger, the Navy's first nuclear aircraft carrier. Later in life, Gerrit would end up serving in four other branches of the U.S. Military - Marines, Coast Guard, Army Reserve and National Guard. Following the Navy, Gerrit was hired by the Bank of America and completed an intensive management and credit training program. Gerrit would then spend the rest of his professional career as a respected and extraordinarily successful commercial banker, primarily in New Jersey. At the age of 33, while working for a community bank in Oakland, NJ, Gerrit became the youngest banking president ever in the state. Over the course of his career, he would serve as president and/or senior lending officer at some of New Jersey's most established and prominent regional and community banks helping hundreds of small businesses and families throughout the state. While Gerrit was an expert commercial lender, what set him apart was his strong business ethics and morals combined with his ability and desire to build close personal relationships with those in the community. Gerrit served in many volunteer positions over the course of his life and had a strong belief that volunteerism was an important way to give back to the community. Gerrit served as president of the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary International, worked with the Heart Fund and American Cancer Society, served on the local zoning and planning board for Brick Township, was president of the Brick Hospital Association and, after retiring to the Sarasota, Fla. area, served four years as Finance Committee Chairman for the Tara Country Club.

Gerrit is survived by his two sons, Gerrit B. Parker Jr. and James "Jay" Livingston Parker; three adoring grandchildren, Gerrit III (9), Natalie (7), and Hayden (5); brother, Rob; sister, Wyntje (Kit); mother-in-law, Laura; brother and sister-in-law, Ed and Serena; and his wife, best friend and soul mate, Barbara (BZ).

In celebration of Gerrit's life, the family will be hosting a memorial service Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Tara Golf & Country Club, 6602 Drewry's Bluff, Bradenton, FL 34203 - (941) 756-0554). In lieu of flowers and if so desired, donations may be made to the Nature Conservancy (http://www.nature.org/). Once on the site's home page, click "Donate Online", then "Tribute Giving", then "Make a Memorial Gift".