S. Parks Glenn

S. Parks Glenn, a lifelong resident of the Hudson Valley and a resident of New Paltz since 1948, entered into rest on August 29, 2005 at the age of 90.

His wife, Marjorie Hollen Lewis Glenn, predeceased him on January 5, 2002.

Parks was a man of many interests who led a full and varied life. Citizen, soldier by chance, entrepreneur, philosopher, community leader, and resident curmudgeon, he was an "ideas" man who was likely to see an issue from a different angle than most. He enjoyed nothing more than a heated debate that would, more likely than not, end with smiles all around. He was pleased to have developed and passed on "the Glenn sense of humor." The song lyric, "I did it my way," might have been written with him in mind.

While he did support various charitable organizations, he was much more likely to provide support "behind the scenes" to persons he felt were in need.

A card player since childhood, Parks loved to play Bridge and Poker. At the Bridge table, he would frustrate partners with his "let's go for it" personality. He loved woodworking and "home improvement" projects.

Parks thought himself fortunate to have developed friendships with people from all walks of life in New Paltz and elsewhere, including Kurt and Dory Laser, with whom he and his wife, Marjorie, participated in many adventures over the years. He was fortunate to have the devoted care of his healthcare worker, Michael King, through whose tenacity Parks was able to life "his way" until the end of his life. He was particularly proud of his grandsons, Jeffrey and Jason. He had fond memories of many of the employees who worked with him at the New Paltz Bus Station over the years, including Manager, Carolyn Glasgow.

Parks was born in Poughkeepsie on June 1, 1915. He attended Poughkeepsie High School; Tuseulum College in Greenville, Tenn.; New York Medical College, and Simmons School of Embalming in Syracuse. He served in the Army in World War II, first in the horse cavalry in New Mexico and Texas, and later as a navigator in the newly formed Army Air Corps, where he flew 30 missions over Europe out of England with the 466th Bomb Group. He considered "6" his lucky number.

Parks was a licensed undertaker and a licensed insurance broker with Nationwide Insurance Company. He founded the New Paltz Bus Station 42 years ago with partner, Herb Phillips. In addition, he partnered with various others in developing other real estate and business ventures in New Paltz.

As an active member of the community, Parks served as a Village of New Paltz Trustee; a member of the New Paltz Town Board, and as a New Paltz Town Justice for 16 years. He was a longtime member of the Masonic Lodge and the Shrine. He was a member of the Paltz Club and the Elks Club. He was a past president of the New Paltz Chamber of Commerce and served as Commander of the V.F.W. Post in New Paltz. He served as District Commander of the Rip Van Winkle Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He is past member of the American Legion; the New Paltz Lions Club; the New Paltz Rotary Club, and various Masonic organizations. He was the chairman of the Finance Committee of the New Paltz Methodist Church when it built its Education Building.

Parks is survived by a family which loved him: his son, Stewart P. Glenn and his wife, Eileen G. Glenn, of New Paltz; daughter-in-law, Karen A. Glenn of Newburgh; grandson, Jeffrey P. Glenn and fiancée, Natalia Rothey, of Mt. Kisco; grandson, Jason C. Glenn and his wife, Sally Brown Glenn, of Annandale, Va.; sister, Marjorie G. Thompson of Jackson, Tenn.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family intends to conduct a "Memory Night" in Parks' honor in the future and will provide notice of that event in local newspapers.

Donations in Parks' honor may be made to The New Paltz Community Foundation, The Commerce and Employment Fund, P.O. Box 474, New Paltz, NY 12561.

Arrangements were made by the Copeland Funeral Home, Inc., 162 South Putt Corners Rd., New Paltz, N.Y.