Clarence "Bea" Parolini

Clarence 'Bea' Parolini
Negaunee Township
Clarence "Bea" Parolini, 90, of Negaunee Township, passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on April 30th, 2024, after a courageous fight battling kidney disease for several years.
Bea was born on April 28th, 1934 in Houghton to James and Cecelia (Chaput) Parolini, the last of five brothers. He graduated from Houghton High School, Class of 1952. While his four brothers served in WWII, he helped his parents take care of the family farm until they all came back unscathed. He then served in the Naval Reserve for two years during the Korean conflict.
After graduating from Michigan Tech with an Accounting degree, he landed an accounting position at the Republic Mine, moved to Negaunee, and built his home in the mid-1960's. He worked at the Republic Mine until it closed, then moved on to the Tilden Mine until retiring in 1992. He was legendary in knowing mine employee brass check numbers, and rarely got stumped even decades after he retired.
If you participated in any sporting activities in Marquette County over the last several decades, there is a good chance you crossed paths with Bea while he was competing, coaching, or spectating.
His two favorite sport passions were hockey and softball. After a 30-year absence from playing organized hockey, he began playing again in the late-1980's at the age of 54 in the Negaunee Hockey League (NHL). He continued until the age of 76, when his career was cut short due to hip replacement surgery. When he wasn't competing on the ice, he spent countless hours volunteering for league tournaments, league games, and travelling hockey teams across the U.P. and Wisconsin.
In the late 1970's, Bea began his coaching career as skipper of the little league team Hi-Lo Club, which comprised of his children along with kids in many Negaunee Township neighborhoods. His goal was not to win games, but rather make sure players of all skill levels participated on the field for at least half of the innings in a game. His coaching philosophy was not focused on winning games, but more importantly giving the kids a great playing experience they would never forget.
After that, for many decades, he continued to coach and participate in both slow pitch and fast pitch teams in the Negaunee area. He played on the Negaunee Old Timers fast pitch team for 20+ years. One of the many highlights in his illustrious career was making his fast pitch catching debut at the age of 80. He played for two more years until the age of 82.
Bea was preceded in death by his loving wife, Darlene. They always found time to travel and enjoy each other's company, true soulmates in every sense of the word.
Surviving are his daughter Wendy (Wilson), son Dave, and two granddaughters, Maria and Julia Parolini, and Darlene's children Veronica Gowan, Terry Gowan, and Richard Helgren.
Along with the assistance of family and many friends, the Parolini family would like to recognize a few folks that went above and beyond. The first is Kathy & Mark DeGabrielle, for keeping driveways cleared in the Winter and the grass cut in the Summer for several years.
Second is Lake Superior Hospice, especially Addey, RN Case Manager, for the outstanding care they provided him for the last nine months. They were involved every step of the way, good and bad, and our family is forever grateful for their kindness and compassion.
Per Bea's request, no public services will be held. However, in the future, there will be a celebration of life that will be announced.
Bea's memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.