Ronald L. Parrish

Parrish, Ronald L. PALM BAY, Fla. Ronald Laverne Parrish, 87, passed away on August 12, 2017, at William Child's Hospice House in Palm Bay. Ron was born on December 1, 1929, to Laverne and Gladys Parrish in Cambridge, N.Y. He attended Washington Academy in Salem, N.Y. Ron joined the Navy and served during the Korean War era from 1950 to 1954. On September 18, 1954, Ron married Erlis Jameson. The couple settled back in Salem where they started a family and Ron worked for the family business, Happy Cooking Bottle Gas from 1954 to 1971. The family moved to Colonie in 1971, where Ron worked for Guilderland School District, until his retirement in 1986. During this time Erlis passed on October 27, 1978, after a battle with cancer. Ron married Sally Bagley on August 24, 1980. During retirement he enjoyed working security for Mary Lou Whitney, philanthropist and socialite, for several years at her summer home in Saratoga Springs. Ron and Sally moved to Palm Bay, in 2001, where they enjoyed retirement together until Sally's passing on October 24, 2016. Ron was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Palm Bay, a former member of Masonic Lodge-Salem-Cambridge Lodge #481 and a member of the American Legion Post #394 in Palm Bay. He is survived by his daughter, Cindi (Bill) Smith of Ballston Lake; son, Leigh (Marcia) Parrish of Algona, Iowa; grandchildren, Jason Smith, Sharese (Chris) Hanson, Mark Parrish and John Parrish; and great-grandchildren, Allette Smith and Zachary and Owen Hanson. He was preceded in death by his wives, parents, and infant son, James. A graveside service will be 1 p.m., Friday, September 8, at the Evergreen Cemetery in Salem. If lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to William Child's Hospice House in Palm Bay, Florida.