Gilbert’s Obituary Westminster- Gilbert William Parks, “Gib”, passed away peacefully at his home in Clearwater, Florida on December 11, 2018. Born in Fitchburg on March 11, 1932, he was the son of the late Gilbert Francis and Elisabeth (Grover) Parks. He married the love of his life, Joan Elise (Walthers) Parks, on August 4, 1956.
In addition to his wife of 62 years he leaves three daughters, Karen and Dan Alterisio of Chelmsford, Janet and Jorge Bravo of Pembroke Pines, Florida and Lynne and Roger Duchesne of Fitchburg and ten grandchildren; Nathaniel, Rachel, Catherine, Jasmine, Jeremiah, Julia, Jesse, Jaime, Jaydon, and Mary Joan, and a great-grandchild, Bella. He also leaves a brother, Peter Parks and his wife Patricia (Sullivan), of Charlotte, NC,; a nephew, David and Jessica (Eisenmann) Parks, a niece, Kim (Parks) Moore and her husband Stephen and their families and several cousins. Gib graduated from the former Admiral Billard Academy, New London, CT and in 1952 from Nichols College.
He served in the U.S. Army Reserves and after nine years was discharged at the rank of Master Sergeant. He and Joan came to Westminster in 1958 living briefly on Main Street and then building their current home on Church Street. His early employment included the Old Mill and Fitchburg Paper Company where he was active in the Junior Achievement Program, serving on its Board of Directors.
He also worked for numerous years at Butler-Dearden Paper Service of Worcester. Known around town as “Bowtie” , he loved cooking,, not only at home but moonlighted for Kendall Catering and Shirley Catering, which included doing authentic New England Clambakes and barbequing thousands of chicken halves for outings at Whalom Park. He followed his family’s ancestral principles by contributing to his community and involved himself with many organizations.
He served as President of the Westminster Combined Drives, Inc. until it merged with the United Fund. He was a former member of the Gardner Boat Club where he served a term as President. He was a Charter member, past President and Director of the Montachusett Area Rotary Club.
At their home in Clearwater, he served on the Board of Directors of their Normandy Park Association. His connection with the American Red Cross lasted over 50 years and began in 1959 when he was elected Branch Chairman for Westminster. For 35 years, he served as the Chairman of their Blood Program and in 1984, was elected to the Board of Directors for the Northeast Region, serving for three years.
He was a longtime blood donor, donating over 29 gallons. In his retirement he continued to volunteer at area bloodmobiles. While he couldn’t play a tune, he loved all kinds of music and the theatre, serving as a President of the Gardner Theatre Guild.
He was one of the early members of the Oakmont Booster Club and for many years assisted John Blackwell and the Oakmont Music Department with their annual musicals. He served as business manager of The Westminster Brass Ensemble for several years. He loved jazz, big band, Dixieland, choral and classical music, among his favorites being “Ode to Joy” and Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five”.
One of his most accomplished responsibilities was that of Westminster Town Treasurer (27 years) and Town Collector (19 years). During his terms he held memberships with the Massachusetts Collectors and Treasurers Association and the Worcester County Collector and Treasurers Association, serving two years as President with the latter. Close to his heart were the 58 years he served on the Westminster Fire Department.
On June 1, 1959 he became a member of the town’s Firefighter Association and retains the standing as the longest tenured Private. Following his retirement from active duty, he remained as a member of the Westminster Emergency Management Association (WEM) also helping with the Fire Department’s Halloween festivities up until 2017. He also did shifts for 14 years as a dispatcher for the Westminster Communications Center.
Proud of his grandchildren and their accomplishments, he respected educational and vocational pursuits, listened to musical practices and concerts, watched dance recitals and bowling contests, attended football games and ice skating competitions, serving on the Board of Directors for the Wallace Figure Skating Club. He enjoyed watching golf and his New England sports teams and sitting on his porch. Gib loved to walk and be outside.
He and Joan walked most of the Pinellas Trail over their years while in Florida. He loved Maine where they spent some time each summer for all their married life. Gib always looked forward to his nightly Maine lobsters.
Joan was his life-long sweetheart and he loved his family, friends and his Westminster and Normandy Park communities. He will always be respected, loved and forever missed. A Memorial Service in celebration of his life will be on Friday, December 28, 2018 at 11:00 am in the Westminster Chapel of the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Homes, 123 Main Street, Westminster, MA 01473.
Burial will occur at a later date. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, December 27, 2018 from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations are requested to be made in Gib’s name to the Westminster Firefighters’ Association, the Westminster Police Association or the American Red Cross.
For more information please visit www. masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net. John F. Masciarelli, Walter C. Taylor and James M. Hebert, funeral directors.
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