Obituary for John B "JB" Parke
John Brinton (JB) Parke (33) went to heaven December 2nd, 2021 surrounded by his family and holding his miracle newborn. He courageously fought cancer for the past year, never letting it take away his undeniable drive to be the best son, brother, friend, husband and father. He put those he loved at the forefront, and never hesitated to help others before himself. Those blessed to know JB will be left with an imprint on their hearts, knowing that his quality of time on earth far exceeded his quantity of time.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Haley Parke, and their two young sons, Brinton Parke, and newborn son John Beeson (JB) Parke. He leaves behind his loving parents John Luis and Lindsay Weil Parke of Middlefield, CT., his adoring sister Katherine Parke of Hyannis Port, MA and paternal grandparents John and Judy Parke of Malvern, PA. He also leaves his uncle William Holt Parke (Susan), uncle and Godfather Timothy Parke (Anne), and aunts Robin Turner (Ed), Lauren Trifiro (Charlie), Jenny Perfall (Don). Additionally he leaves his Godmother, Josephine Weil, 15 cousins, and an abundance of friends who all meant the world to him. He is preceded in death by his grandfather John Weil, his grandmother Barbara Brock Weil, and his uncle Edward Weil.
JB was born on May 3, 1988 in Hartford, CT to John and Lindsay Parke. He graduated from Coginchaug High School in 2006, and from Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) in 2010 with a Bachelors of Science. JB was an avid baseball player, excelling wherever he competed. He was Co-MVP his senior year of high school, and Captain his senior year playing Division III College Baseball at ECSU. He was a Two-Time All Conference and All Northeast Region Player. During summer breaks, JB played in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. He also played three years for American Legion Post 75 Baseball, where he was a pitcher and played a key role in helping the team go to the State Tournament. After graduation, JB played nine games of professional baseball for the Brockton Rox as part of the Canadian American (CanAm) Independent Baseball League.
JB worked for several fitness companies as an Operations Manager before starting his career as a Procurement Specialist at Pratt & Whitney (P&W), East Hartford, CT. There he advanced to become a Supply Chain Manager. While at P&W, JB made significant contributions to military programs and received recognition for his outstanding efforts.
In 2016, JB began dating Haley and they were married in 2018. Shortly after, they got their German Shepherd, Logan. Together they built their house in Tolland, CT. In addition to their home, JB also put his handiness to use by building his own furniture and fencing out of trees from their property. They became beloved members of their community and the River of Life Christian Fellowship Church in Tolland. Together they had two sons, Brinton and John Beeson.
JB loved his family and friends dearly and always made them a priority. He was a passionate outdoorsman who loved golfing, baseball, softball, gardening, fishing, and hunting with his Uncle Holt.
JB also loved children, and they adored him. He was always playing with them at family functions and on vacation. His compassion and love for children led him to comfort a one year old boy undergoing cancer treatment at Memorial Sloane Kettering Hospital in New York City where he was also being treated. He consoled the crying boy, reassuring him he was not alone.
JB is shining brightly through all of us, and helping us navigate this somber time as he would, with grace. The outpouring of love has been overwhelming. As our JB embodied selflessness, many others have asked how to help. In lieu of flowers, the family has created the following opportunities for people to offer support to the family in memory of JB.
Memorial contributions can be made to the following charities: 1. Venmo : @JBParkeFamilyFund or, GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jb-parke-family-fund 2. College Fund for Parke Children (Please make checks payable to Wells Fargo Advisors and reference in memo line ‘Parke Children 529’). Please send checks to: Wells Fargo Advisors. 1 Oxford Centre. 301 Grant St., Suite 3600. Pittsburgh, PA 15219. 3. E-Gift Cards for Parke Family (JBParkeFamilyFund@gmail.com) 4. Simmons Kidney Cancer Research: https://engage.utsouthwestern.edu/donate-now (Please click Designation: Simmons Cancer Center, then Tribute Information: Memorial, and enter JB Parke. Or mail check (with “Dr. Hans Hammers’ Research in memo line) to: UT Southwestern Medical Center. Office of Development. P.O. Box 910888. Dallas, TX, 75391-0888.
Relatives and friends are welcome to join the family from 3:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, January 7, 2022 at the Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Merrow Rd. (Rte. 195), Tolland, CT 06084. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at the River of Life Church, 58 Gerber Dr., Tolland, CT 06084. A reception will follow in East Hartford from 12:00 to 4:00 PM. Let’s all try to live a life of integrity, selflessness and love as JB did.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Haley Parke, and their two young sons, Brinton Parke, and newborn son John Beeson (JB) Parke. He leaves behind his loving parents John Luis and Lindsay Weil Parke of Middlefield, CT., his adoring sister Katherine Parke of Hyannis Port, MA and paternal grandparents John and Judy Parke of Malvern, PA. He also leaves his uncle William Holt Parke (Susan), uncle and Godfather Timothy Parke (Anne), and aunts Robin Turner (Ed), Lauren Trifiro (Charlie), Jenny Perfall (Don). Additionally he leaves his Godmother, Josephine Weil, 15 cousins, and an abundance of friends who all meant the world to him. He is preceded in death by his grandfather John Weil, his grandmother Barbara Brock Weil, and his uncle Edward Weil.
JB was born on May 3, 1988 in Hartford, CT to John and Lindsay Parke. He graduated from Coginchaug High School in 2006, and from Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) in 2010 with a Bachelors of Science. JB was an avid baseball player, excelling wherever he competed. He was Co-MVP his senior year of high school, and Captain his senior year playing Division III College Baseball at ECSU. He was a Two-Time All Conference and All Northeast Region Player. During summer breaks, JB played in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. He also played three years for American Legion Post 75 Baseball, where he was a pitcher and played a key role in helping the team go to the State Tournament. After graduation, JB played nine games of professional baseball for the Brockton Rox as part of the Canadian American (CanAm) Independent Baseball League.
JB worked for several fitness companies as an Operations Manager before starting his career as a Procurement Specialist at Pratt & Whitney (P&W), East Hartford, CT. There he advanced to become a Supply Chain Manager. While at P&W, JB made significant contributions to military programs and received recognition for his outstanding efforts.
In 2016, JB began dating Haley and they were married in 2018. Shortly after, they got their German Shepherd, Logan. Together they built their house in Tolland, CT. In addition to their home, JB also put his handiness to use by building his own furniture and fencing out of trees from their property. They became beloved members of their community and the River of Life Christian Fellowship Church in Tolland. Together they had two sons, Brinton and John Beeson.
JB loved his family and friends dearly and always made them a priority. He was a passionate outdoorsman who loved golfing, baseball, softball, gardening, fishing, and hunting with his Uncle Holt.
JB also loved children, and they adored him. He was always playing with them at family functions and on vacation. His compassion and love for children led him to comfort a one year old boy undergoing cancer treatment at Memorial Sloane Kettering Hospital in New York City where he was also being treated. He consoled the crying boy, reassuring him he was not alone.
JB is shining brightly through all of us, and helping us navigate this somber time as he would, with grace. The outpouring of love has been overwhelming. As our JB embodied selflessness, many others have asked how to help. In lieu of flowers, the family has created the following opportunities for people to offer support to the family in memory of JB.
Memorial contributions can be made to the following charities: 1. Venmo : @JBParkeFamilyFund or, GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jb-parke-family-fund 2. College Fund for Parke Children (Please make checks payable to Wells Fargo Advisors and reference in memo line ‘Parke Children 529’). Please send checks to: Wells Fargo Advisors. 1 Oxford Centre. 301 Grant St., Suite 3600. Pittsburgh, PA 15219. 3. E-Gift Cards for Parke Family (JBParkeFamilyFund@gmail.com) 4. Simmons Kidney Cancer Research: https://engage.utsouthwestern.edu/donate-now (Please click Designation: Simmons Cancer Center, then Tribute Information: Memorial, and enter JB Parke. Or mail check (with “Dr. Hans Hammers’ Research in memo line) to: UT Southwestern Medical Center. Office of Development. P.O. Box 910888. Dallas, TX, 75391-0888.
Relatives and friends are welcome to join the family from 3:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, January 7, 2022 at the Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Merrow Rd. (Rte. 195), Tolland, CT 06084. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at the River of Life Church, 58 Gerber Dr., Tolland, CT 06084. A reception will follow in East Hartford from 12:00 to 4:00 PM. Let’s all try to live a life of integrity, selflessness and love as JB did.