Name: Visitation for Edward C. Parker
Start: 2022-03-04T16:00:00.000Z
End: 2022-03-04T19:00:00.000Z
Location: Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Wethersfield

Edward C. Parker, 71, of Rocky Hill, loving husband of Marian Abbott Parker, passed away on February 26, 2022, surrounded by his family after his battle with Lewy body dementia. He was born in Hartford, the son of the late Edward S. and Lucille Bilodeau Parker. He grew up in Farmington, graduated from Farmington High School, and received his B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut. Ed retired in 2009 from the then-Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection after 33 years of service. Before retirement, he was the Chief of the Natural Resources Bureau. He was also a past President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and a lifetime member of the Connecticut Trappers Association. Ed loved hunting, fishing, trapping, and crabbing, especially in his beloved Passadumkeag, Maine, and on Cape Cod, and he adored teaching those crafts to others. Ed also passed on his great appreciation for the natural world by hosting game dinners and outdoor fires and by making apple cider, blueberry wine, and maple syrup. He golfed, albeit less successfully, with his longtime friends the "cards guys," and he was a passionate fan of the New York Yankees and Giants. Even until his last days, Ed could absolutely crush a handshake. Aside from his wife of 46 years, he leaves his children, Lauren Parker and her husband Alex Chaiken of Maine; Brian Parker of Massachusetts; and Shannon Hokans and her husband Carl of Colchester and their sons, Colin and Reed. Ed is also survived by his brothers, Thomas Parker and his wife Christine of Avon and Gary Parker and his wife Cindy of Salem, Massachusetts; their children; several aunts and uncles; and the many Abbott in-laws and out-laws, including his mother-in-law Majorie Abbott, and nieces and nephews. Ed's family is forever grateful to Liam Stickley for his help with Ed's care last year; without Liam, many things, including Ed's last Cape Cod family vacation, would not have been possible. Friends may call on Friday, March 4, 2022 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Road, Wethersfield. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home. To extend condolences, please visit farleysullivan.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association: lbda.org/donate.

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Published by Hartford Courant on Mar. 3, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Edward Parker

Sponsored by the family.

11 Entries

Mary-Ellen Metzner Just

March 7, 2022

I'm so sorry to hear Eddie. We were childhood friends...we lived on Fairview Dr as well.

When I read about all of his outdoor pursuits, it reminded me of Eddie's father. Lucille was the sport living with four active men & boys. I loved the huge teepee in their back yard!

Sleep well my friend.

Gayle

March 5, 2022

Shannon and family- I am so sorry for your loss. May your happy memories sustain you through the difficult times. May he rest peacefully.

Yvonne Bolton

March 4, 2022

My sincere condolences to the Parker family. I worked with Ed at DEP. In my opinion he was the ultimate outdoor guy yet his knowledge of other programs was amazing and he was instrumental in teaching so many of us the fundamentals of the programs he was responsible for. His passion for his work was obvious - and he left quite a mark on the department and the many colleagues he had worked with when he retired. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Michael Powers

Planted Trees

Michael Powers

March 4, 2022

I first met Ed when I joined DEP - he was my first supervisor (boss), but he was always more of a guide and coach. We first worked in the Wastewater Division in Construction Grants, and this was when I first encountered Ed's supervisory style. He would assign me to projects that made me push the limits of my knowledge and confidence. Always there as support and coach, but always nudging and encouraging me to take on and master the new challenge.
This was to be the pattern of our working and friendship relationship over the twenty plus years I worked under his direction. Ed would find and move on to some new challenge within the agency, then sometime later would recruit me to join him; and take on new challenges, and some steep learning curves. His guidance and encouragement caused me to grow my knowledge and confidence such that I had a very rewarding career, working with a variety of great people and constantly learning new things.
Ed, you were the best "boss" and friend I could ever have imagined. I wrote this to thank you for all of that experience, and to remind your friends and family of how special you were in all of our lives. You are gone from much too soon, but you
made such a great and positive impact on so many people that you will not be forgotten.

Donna Lee (Bilodeau) Dranginis

March 4, 2022

I always remember Eddie (as we younger cousins called him) with a big smile and a kind heart. Wishing all of you a time of healing, and memories that bring you peace and smiles. Sending you all love and hugs.

Fred Johnson

March 3, 2022

Ed was one of my first supervisors back in the early 80'. He was always thoughtful and fair. A dedicated public servant and always a gentleman. God bless.

Susan Whalen

March 3, 2022

Ed was a wonderful man. A true sportsman and a gentleman. He was so kind to me during my early days at DEP and I missed him very much after he retired. He adored his family and his passion for the natural world was unmatched. My heartfelt condolences.

Kim A Maiorano

March 2, 2022

My heartfelt sympathy to Ed's family. I worked with Ed at DEP, starting in 1986 when we were located in the car dealership on Washington Street in Hartford. Ed was a kind, patient, friendly leader who always was honest and straightforward.
You could always get a logical explanation from him whenever there were "issues" at work. He was very much liked and respected. May your loving memories and the support of family and friends bring you comfort at this difficult time.

Kim Maiorano

Mark A. Parker

March 2, 2022

Sending condolences to Ed's family. I met Ed when I joined DEP in 1990. Although we worked in different divisions we would often see each other in the halls or at Agency meetings. He would always have a smile and we would chat about how each other was doing and Parker things. I still remember how excited he was to share his Parker genealogy book and show the Parker Crest from Europe. We all have such great memories of him. May you find peace in them at this time.

Gabrielle Frigon

March 1, 2022

I worked for Ed for a number of years at CT Department of Environmental Protection. He was my Director when I was hired. Ed was always willing to listen and provide guidance and support. Ed was a gentleman and was missed in the Remediation Division after he became the Chief for the Bureau of Natural Resources. He will be missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace.

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