Richard E. Parker

Richard E. Parker "Dick", husband of "Jeannie" Thompson Parker and owner of the Little Silver Shop, died on December 13, 2021, from complications of heart disease at the age of 84. He was the son of Edgar and Valma Webber Parker born July 5, 1937, in Hartford, CT. He grew up in Plainville, CT and graduated from Vermont Academy and Tufts University. He served in the Army Reserves and worked as a claims adjuster for Liberty Mutual and detail drug salesman for Upjohn Pharmaceutical covering most of VT. Much to his parents' dismay, he left a "good paying job" to follow a hobby he loved. Soon Dick opened the Little Silver Shop in a former one-car garage in Old Avon Village and became the smallest anchor tenant of any shopping mall. He liked being his own boss and was happy creating gold and silver jewelry for his loyal customers the past 60 years. His button bracelets became a tradition in many families in the Farmington Valley and across the country and were sometimes spotted on the wrists of tourists and residents around the world. If you wore one, you immediately knew where it came from. Old curmudgeon that he was, he did get a kick out of being referred to as "the Mayor of Old Avon Village" with his own designated parking space as his was the oldest business in that location. Dick spent his free time boating, playing duplicate bridge, using his private pilot's license and putting miles on his lawn tractor. He often recalled great memories of his youth at Leete's Island in Guilford, CT. In later years he again enjoyed Leete's Island and Lake Bomoseen, VT. Richard is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jeannie, his sons, Thomas, Robert and his fiancée Jessie, her children, Julie and Douglas, his brother-in-law, Douglas Thompson and cousins JoAn, Nancy, Scott, Sally, Gwen, Denny and Marabeth. Companions and Homemakers and the staff at Avon Health Center and McLean Hospice provided exceptional care. We appreciate the dedication of assistant silversmith, Chris Mathein and salesperson, Ingrid Glasson who held down the fort at the store through the pandemic. A shout out is due Richard's other assistant craftsmen through the years, son Tom Parker, Douglas Thompson, Tom Dexter plus long-time employees Gretchen, Elin, Ann, Rita, Valerie, Jessica, Alison and a host of full-time and part-time sales girls. The unwavering support of the Gondek angels, Brian C. and Harry W, brought him good cheer. Dick's family will receive friends Monday, December 20, 2021, from 5-6 PM followed by a Memorial Service at 6 PM at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Rd., Avon, CT. A reception will follow the service at Carmon's. Please wear masks during all the services. Memorial donations may be made to the the West Avon Cemetery Association, 712 West Avon Road, Avon, CT 06001 or to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492. For directions or condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com