HORNELL-Elmer F. Parks, Jr., 90, passed away Tuesday (April 21, 2015) at his home on Buffalo St.
Born in Hornell on March 13, 1925 he was the son of the late Elmer F. Parks, Sr. and Pauline Burke Parks. On Valentine’s Day in 1947 he was married at Ss. Peter & Paul Cathedral in Philadelphia, Pa. to the former Catherine A. “Cass” Jennings, who predeceased him on July 4, 1995 after 48 years of marriage. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his daughter, Patricia Dobson; his two grandsons, Ryan Parks and William J. “BJ” Dobson and his three sisters, Nadine Glass, Lois Dempsey and Janice Fethchen.
A resident of Hornell for most of his life, Elmer was a graduate of Hornell High School, class of 1945 and proudly served his country in WWII, serving in the South Pacific, with the U.S. Navy.
He was employed by the former Hollands Lumber Co. in Hornell as a roofer as well as a carman for the former Erie and Erie-Lackawanna Railroads and Conrail retiring over 30 years ago.
Elmer was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and was a devout communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Hornell. He was also a life time member and past commander of the Arthur H. Cunningham American Legion Post No. 440, and a life time member of the Hornell Elks Lodge No. 364 and the Hornell Council No. 243, Knights of Columbus.
His loving family includes his two daughters, Deborah (Tom) Gray of Tampa, Fla. and Bridget Robinson of Hornell; his three sons, William (Martha) Parks of Pennellville, John (Gaudalupe) Parks of Arkport and James (Bequita) Parks of Wayland; his 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; also his nieces and nephews.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Elmer F. Parks, Jr.
Calling hours are 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2015 at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell, where the American Legion Post will conduct a memorial service at 1 p.m. followed by a funeral service with Father Peter Anglaaere officiating. Committal prayers and interment, with military honors will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, 388 Upper Oakwood Ave., Elmira, NY 14903, Care First, 3805 Meads Creek Rd., Painted Post, NY 14870 or to St. Mary’s Cemetery, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell, NY 14843.
Online condolences or remembrances of Elmer are welcomed at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
