Gerald S. "Jerry" Parker

Gerald S. “Jerry” Parker, 98, of Maplewood, NJ, formerly of Brookline, MA, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026. Beloved husband, for 69 years, of the late Sandra “Aliza” (Finkel) Parker. Devoted father of son Jonathan and his partner, William, and daughter Ryah. Survived by his sister-in-law, Barbara, and three generations of nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his beloved wife, Aliza, Jerry was predeceased by his parents Benjamin and Bertha, brothers Arnold and Frank, sisters-in-law Gertrude and Elaine, and brother-in-law, Ben.

Born in Cambridge, MA, to immigrant parents, Jerry grew up in a Yiddish-speaking household. He was active in a Zionist organization during college, and received a scholarship to study in Israel, where he met his future wife, Aliza, in 1950. That chance meeting, which led to their marriage in 1953, connected Jerry and Aliza to Israel in ways that would change their lives forever.

Not only did it strengthen their love of Jewish culture and commitment to Haaretz, but it inspired them to travel all over the world and meet people from other cultures as well. Some of their trips included Aliza’s consulting work with schools whose mission it was to teach Chinese, Japanese, Armenian, Greek, Hebrew and Native American language and culture.

Jerry proudly served in the United States Army during WWII, and received his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern and two master’s degrees from Harvard. He dedicated his professional life to service in the field of public health, and worked tirelessly to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

A diplomate of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers, he was recognized in 1983 by the Conference on Radiation Control Program Directors, when they established the Gerald S. Parker Award of Merit “to acknowledge a person or group who has made a major contribution to the field of radiation protection”. Jerry testified before the United States Congress in 1987 on proposed amendments to the Clean Air Act, and was interviewed frequently by major publications and on television.

In 1993, he retired as Assistant Commissioner of Public Health for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Jerry was an avid reader, an opera and classical music aficionado, and a die-hard Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots fan, even after he relocated to New Jersey to be closer to his children.

A role model and an inspiration to his family and friends, Jerry set the highest standard of a life well-lived. His intellectual curiosity, sense of humor and empathy will be sorely missed by all those whose lives he touched so deeply.

Funeral services will take place on Thursday, February 26 at 10:00am at Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA. The service will also be livestreamed via the following link: www.tinyurl.com/GeraldParkerRemembered226

Burial will immediately follow services, at Temple B’nai Brith Cemetery in Peabody, MA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jerry’s honor may be made to American Jewish World Service (www.ajws.org/donate) or New Israel Fund (www.nif.org/donate)