Edward Joseph Parker

1928 - 2022

Edward Joseph Parker of South Windsor, CT, formally of East Haven, CT passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at Hartford Hospital surrounded by his family. Edward "Ed" was born on September 21, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY, the son of the late Joseph and Mary Parker. He had a great childhood growing up and running the streets of Brooklyn with this three older siblings, Joseph, Thomas and Mary. In 1950, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth "Betty" Parker, née McGregor, who predeceased him in 1987. Their three children, including a son, Edward Jr., who died in infancy, were the most important people in the world to Ed until the very end. His life revolved around his beloved twin daughters, Jeanne and Eileen, and he could not have been more proud of the women they became. After three decades of sharing a home and a life, Jeanne Parker predeceased Ed in 2017. Eileen Marchessault and her husband Thomas Marchessault of South Windsor, CT, were extremely close to their dad, spending every holiday together, travelling the world together, and ultimately living together at the end of Ed's life. To the rest of his family, Ed was Papa – and Papa was the best. His grandchildren and their families will miss him fiercely, but are so grateful for every minute they got to spend with him. His granddaughter Beth Marchessault, her husband Christopher Boutin, and sons Abel and Owen Boutin of Milton, VT thank Papa for all the books he handed down each Christmas, the parenting advice on raising twins, teaching Chris how to properly carve a duck, and for making sure Abel and Owen have the recipe for "Mr. Ed's Famous Ribs". His grandson Matt Marchessault, his wife Kayla, and their daughter Nora of St. Albans, VT, think often of the trips they got to take with Papa and are so grateful he was able to meet and hold his great-granddaughter. It's worth noting that baby Nora was perhaps the only person ever to rival his own daughters for affection in Ed's eyes. His granddaughter Donna Marchessault of Homestead, FL will miss the weekly calls discussing their shared love of books, Papa's commitment to always cooking her favorite meals, and the gracious way he showed up the very knowledgeable tour guide she found on a family trip to Normandy in 2018 with his impressive familiarity with WWII history. In his younger years, Ed was an airborne infantryman and an entrepreneur – serving first with the Merchant Marines during WWII, and then the 11th Airborne Division as a paratrooper, and starting and selling EZ Form Cable Corporation in New Haven to bookend his 54 year career. Still, at 93, Ed had a workout ethic, culinary skills, and a daily reading quota that surpassed everyone around him. It was his way of committing each day to what he valued most – his health, time with family over a special meal, and learning as much as he could in the time he had. His family will miss him greatly but will carry on that legacy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 14th at St. Margaret Mary Church, 80 Hayes Road in South Windsor, CT. Burial will be in the Long Island National Cemetery. Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home in South Windsor is caring for the arrangements. For online condolences and guest book, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com