Robert L. Parker, 76, of Fairhaven died July 21, 2017 peacefully at Good Samaritan Hospital surrounded by his loving and devoted family.
He was the beloved husband of Donna R. (Pedro) Parker.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Milton N. and Yvonne J. (Jaillet) Parker, he was raised in Acushnet and lived in New Bedford, Mattapoisett and Dartmouth before moving to Fairhaven.
Mr. Parker began his teaching career at Ashley Elementary School in New Bedford and later taught 8th grade math at Keith Junior High School for 37 years until retirement. In retirement, he was passionate about New Bedford’s SeaLab where he taught for the past 12 summers.
He coached JV baseball and varsity boys soccer at New Bedford High School and he was instrumental in the formation of the girls soccer program. He was an active member of the New Bedford High School Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.
Mr. Parker was a commercial lobsterman during the summers from 1974 to 1991.
He enjoyed teaching, travel and watching the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. Mr. Parker was a devoted family man who enjoyed fishing with his children and grandchildren.
He enjoyed the music of the fifties and sixties, particularly his idol Elvis Presley.
Survivors include his wife; 2 sons, Daniel Parker and his wife Karin and Christopher Parker, all of Mattapoisett; a step-daughter, Lindsey Pickering and her husband Aaron of Stoughton; a brother, Donald Parker of Middletown, RI; 4 grandchildren, Marisa Parker, Hunter Parker, Alexis Parker and Noah Pickering; and several nieces and nephews.
His visiting hours will be held on Monday from 4-8 PM with a prayer service at 7:30 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Robert L. Parker Scholarship c/o New Bedford Sea Lab Program, c/o Erin Finnegan 71 Portland St., New Bedford, MA 02744. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
Bob, your birthday would be next week, January 6th. You would be 80 years old in 2021. I remember all of the years that we lived at 28 Rock Street with Mom and Dad. We played baseball and football in the Process golf ball testing range, dodging the steel yardage signs. I remember the pond there that we skated on in the winter, and the ‘bendonies’ where we’d jump up and down on the ice causing it to flex. I remember us bicycling to the ‘Fin’ to go swimming. And fishing at Hamlin Pond. I have many memories of our youth. I hope that you are with God in Heaven, Bob. Don