A beautiful tribute to
Gordon Warren Parker
1935 – 2013
Eulogy written and read by Gordon’s daughter, Christine Parker
On November 8, 2013
Thank you all for coming today and sharing this celebration of Dad’s life. I know he’s so happy to know you’re all here.
We thought that Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words were very fitting as Dad had a way of touching people from all walks of life, and all ages – so many people have said to me, although they were in his company only once or a handful of times, he was a person you could know easily and enjoy fully – quite a remarkable gift to make people so at ease.
His gifts and talents were many:
- Smart, quick learner and had a voracious appetite for learning. He went back to earn his college degree in his 30's, where he excelled while balancing family, the demands of daily life, and excruciating back pain from an earlier injury. You could ask him a question on almost any portion of world history or a current world event, and he could have an informed and engaging conversation – even into recent months
- Great ability to overcome adversity – in these last years he amazed doctors with his degree of recovery given the severity of his limitations. He always vowed to Mom to drive again, and when the garage door mysteriously opened the other night, Mom thought he might be back to take the car for one last spin – it wouldn’t have surprised us
- Great Sense of humor – I remember so many gatherings where he was usually holding court in the kitchen – ours or someone else’s - telling stories and laughing until he & everyone else was in tears
- Loyal and Protective - He always had your back and would go to great lengths to help those he loved, through acts small and large
- Great capacity for warmth, kindness and compassion – He loved and showed love, in particular the affection he had for his sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews, daughters, and his beloved Jersey Girl, Ruthie. His best friend and sweetheart for nearly 60 years.
Terry and I want to take this opportunity to recognize and thank Mom for her unwavering dedication, compassion, and Yeoman’s work in taking such good care of Dad in recent years and especially this past year.
- Dad had a great sense of wonder, which made him a great teacher – he taught me and Terry to appreciate nature, music, and encouraged us to explore and learn about the world, and to always put our best foot forward and approach life with vibrancy, courage, grace, and compassion to those around us.
- Loved the upstate NY area and knew how to get anywhere by any back road – his preferred route by far
- Passion for cars and speed – he could even make our Subaru drive like a Ferrari when he wanted to, at least it seemed so to me riding shotgun at 8 years old
- Delighting people – he would always bring home a little surprise for me or Terry at the end of every school year for doing well, and he was center stage at my slumber parties, where my girlfriends would plead with him to read, yet again, Braer Rabbit vs. the Tar Baby with full-on old south character voices and animation - but I think he likely had even more fun that the girls did.
- Cooking and good food– best spaghetti and meatballs ever. Hands down.
- He loved is his home and working with his hands, and he loved sports – both playing, where he was a star athlete in high school and watching – his heartbreaking Buffalo Bills, slightly less heartbreaking SU teams
What he taught me:
- be strong
- be curious
- always put your best foot forward
- have no regrets and learn from your mistakes
- laugh often and out loud
- treasure and honor family
- above all, be an honorable human being
We all have our memories and influences of Dad, and in those many influences across each of us, he lives on.
May you rest in peace, Dad, and until we meet again, we love and honor you with our whole hearts.