Edward C. Parker, 71, of Rocky Hill, loving husband of Marian Abbott Parker, passed away on February 26, 2022, surrounded by his family after his battle with Lewy body dementia. He was born in Hartford, the son of the late Edward S. and Lucille Bilodeau Parker. He grew up in Farmington, graduated from Farmington High School, and received his B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut. Ed retired in 2009 from the then-Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection after 33 years of service. Before retirement, he was the Chief of the Natural Resources Bureau. He was also a past President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Ed loved hunting, fishing, trapping, and crabbing, especially in his beloved Passadumkeag, Maine, and on Cape Cod, and he adored teaching those crafts to others. Ed also passed on his great appreciation for the natural world by hosting game dinners and outdoor fires and by making apple cider, blueberry wine, and maple syrup. He golfed, albeit less successfully, with his longtime friends the “cards guys,” and he was a passionate fan of the New York Yankees and Giants. Even until his last days, Ed could absolutely crush a handshake.
Aside from his wife of 46 years, he leaves his children, Lauren Parker and her husband Alex Chaiken of Maine; Brian Parker of Massachusetts; and Shannon Hokans and her husband Carl of Colchester and their sons, Colin and Reed. Ed is also survived by his brothers, Thomas Parker and his wife Christine of Avon and Gary Parker and his wife Cindy of Salem, Massachusetts; their children; several aunts and uncles; and the many Abbott in-laws, out-laws, and nieces and nephews. Ed’s family is forever grateful to Liam Stickley for his help with Ed’s care last year; without Liam, many things, including Ed’s last Cape Cod family vacation, would not have been possible.
Friends may call on Friday, March 4, 2022 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Road, Wethersfield. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home. To extend condolences, please visit farleysullivan.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association: lbda.org/donate.