ETNA – Father George H. Parker, 78, died Jan. 12, 2008, at a Bangor hospital. He was born July 28, 1929, in Boston, a son of George H. and Anna (Houlihan) Parker. He grew up in the Boston area and attended Miramar High School, which was located on the south shore of Boston. He graduated from Catholic University with a bachelor’s degree. He then completed his master’s program in education and spent many years as a teacher of Latin and history at Boston Latin School and Westwood High School. Father Parker was very involved in the School Teacher’s Union and was eventually elected president of the union. In addition, he was very active in various political efforts on behalf of education. Having completed a full career of teaching, Father Parker retired in 1980, to begin studies for the priesthood for the Diocese of Norwich, Conn. He was ordained in May 1983 and served in various parish assignments until 1996, at which time he began a new phase of ministry with deep involvement in Right to Life organizations. He served with Human Life International, Front Royal, Va., as the chaplain. During this time, he traveled throughout the nation and the world representing Human Life International at many Respect for Life events. Additionally, he assisted at St. John’s Parish, Front Royal, Va. Father Parker was the recipient of many awards for his courageous ministry on behalf of innocent human life from conception to natural death. In 1999, he began a period of ministry with Population Research Institute, Front Royal, Va., as chaplain. Also, during his many visits to Etna, he concelebrated Mass with Father Lawrence Sabatino and Father C. James Martel at St. Agnes Parish, Pittsfield. He retired to Etna in 2004, continuing to touch many lives in his retirement. Father Parker spent his life encouraging others to live truth as a teacher, a Catholic priest and a most courageous apostle for life. Father Parker is survived by his sister, Mary and her husband, John Butland, of Etna; and two nephews, Robert Butland of Winter Haven, Fla., and William Butland of Newport. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, at Crosby & Neal, 117 Main St., Newport. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, Pittsfield with the Rev. Joseph J. Deponai, Archdioce of New York, and Monsignor Michael Wrenn, concelebrating with the church pastor, the Rev. James Robichaud. Burial will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bangor. Those who wish may sign an online guest book at www.CrosbyNeal.com.
REV. GEORGE H. PARKER
