James T. Parker

James "Jim" Thomas Parker, 78, of Gardner, formerly of Westminster, passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, March 9, 2025, due to congestive heart failure.

Born on March 20, 1946, in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Jim was the son of the late Arthur and Dorothy (Ellis) Parker. He graduated from Plymouth High School in 1964. He attended Cape Cod Community College before proudly serving his country in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1970. During his service, Jim was a Yeoman stationed aboard the submarine tender USS Hunley in Guam where he was decorated with the National Defense Service Medal.

After his time in the Navy, Jim met and married the love of his life Nancy Ellen McDonnell in 1970. They moved to central Massachusetts where Jim was the office manager of a glass company. He subsequently learned the glazing trade and opened his own successful business in 1980, Parker Glass. Nancy later joined Jim in running the business. His craftsmanship and commitment to his community made Parker Glass a trusted name in the region.

Jim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose greatest pride was the life of love and family he built with Nancy. Known for his kindness, generosity, and sense of humor, Jim touched the lives of everyone around him.

Always tinkering, fixing, or gardening, he had a remarkable talent for doing things that improved the lives of his family and community. He loved caring for his trees and flowers, picking vegetables and berries, and watching the birds and wildlife that gathered in his beautiful yard. During his time in Westminster, the whole town looked forward to his haunted barn at Halloween. Whether he was playing sports, swimming in the pool, or making crafts with the kids, Jim had a special way of making life brighter and better for everyone.

Jim is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy E. (McDonnell) Parker; his twin brother, John Parker; his sisters, Judy Kierstead, and Dorothy Doyon; his children, Cheranne Johnson and her husband Rick, Erik Parker and his husband Shawn Morrissey, Todd Parker and his wife Christine Fichera, and Sarah Conlin and her husband Pete. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Adriana, Penny, Aaron, Kailyn, Hannah, Emily, Nathan, Avery, Katherine and Logan; and great-grandchildren, Caden, Aella, and April.

Besides his parents, Jim was predeceased by a brother, Richard Parker.

Jim will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the community he served. His legacy of hard work, kindness, and generosity will continue to inspire all who knew him.

Calling Hours will be held Monday, April 7, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Funeral Services will follow at 12:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA, will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his honor to Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, 268 Central Street, Gardner, MA 01440.