Gerard "Jake" Parent

Gerard “Jake” Parent, 87, of Chicopee, passed away January 11, 2015. He was born in Chicopee, a son of the late Arthur and Alma (Lebel) Parent. He was a communicant of St. Anne’s Church in Fairview and was a truck driver for the former New England Container Co. in Chicopee. Jake was a World War II Navy Veteran, Fireman First Class and faithfully served his country from 1944-1946. He was a member of the St. George’s Church choir, was a Moose Lodge Little League baseball coach for 9 years and was a Lifetime Member of the Knights of Columbus in Chicopee. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Marlene A. (Mason) Parent, his two daughters Deborah Cross and her husband Stephen of West Springfield and Beth Maroney and her husband Fran of Belchertown, his two sons Arthur Parent of Andover, CT and Robert Parent and his wife Gael of Neuvo, CA, his brother Leo Parent of Chicopee, nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three sisters and his granddaughter Devin Parent, daughter of Robert and Gael. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be Thursday January 22, 2015 at 11:30AM in St. Anne’s Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee (Fairview), MA., burial will follow at 1PM in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. Following the burial and in place of calling hours, the Parent family invite you to join them anytime between 2PM and 6PM at the Cavalier Restaurant, 366 Chicopee Street, Chicopee, MA. Memorial donations may be made to the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, 100 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040.

This is Jake's eulogy, done by his son Arthur Parent.

Gerard “Jake” Parent

June 2, 1927 / January 11, 2015

Good morning:

On June 2, ’27 Gerard John Paul Parent 4th of 5 children who would come to be affectionately known as “Jake” was welcomed by his parent’s Arthur and Alma.

Raised in a modest 2nd floor two bedroom apt. in Chicopee Falls his character and values would undoubtedly be influenced by the trials and hardships of dark economic and political times that loomed just around the corner.

As a charge of the Sisters of the Assumption at St George School his formal education, to include a strong religious foundation, would have begun in the fall of 1932. A member of St. George’s children’s choir from the age 5 would inaugurate a 75+ year church choir and designated soloist “career”. Parishioners would often be moved by his performances of church favorites. A gifted tenor, his love of music would promote a virtual full house at any mass accompanied by the choir.

Trade school education would lead to work at the Springfield Armory in support of wartime production.

At 17 and restless with a sense of duty to join the fight alongside millions who would appropriately be labeled as the Greatest Generation………. he convinced his mother to sign the required consent forms clearing the way for his enlistment in the United States Navy. He would serve from 1944 to 1946. On those rare occasions ----- when he would speak of his service ----- it was with great pride and sense of accomplishment.

Following the war Dad would re- enter the civilian work force and after an arduous start, embrace a rewarding career in the trucking industry that would span some 35 years and countless miles. He was a member and supporter the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 404.

On July 29th 1950, a 3 year courtship gave way to 64 years of marriage to Marlene Mason. Their union would be the cornerstone of what a nurse supervisor at the Holyoke Soldier’s Home tenderly referred to as …… “a wonderful legacy” …… his family.

Beneficiaries of their love, affection, guidance, strong faith and example would be…

4 children

9 grandchildren…... Jennifer Robb, Amy Rondeau, Matthew, Angela & Alison Cross Bryan, Andrew & Adam Maroney ……. and our dearly beloved Devin Parent

and

5 great grandchildren …… Caelin, Claire, Corey, Cody and Sadie.

After a well-deserved 21 year retirement in Florida Mom and Dad would re-settle to Chicopee where, with the support of family and friends, would face what proved to be their final challenge. Confronting the ravages of heart disease determined to exact their inevitable toll, Mom set aside her own cares and …… bolstered by her love and devotion to Dad …… assumed the role of primary care giver. Tirelessly she tended to his daily needs, pursued all conceivable medical options, scheduled appointments, meticulously charted tests and procedures all while tracking and carefully dispensing medications.

Reluctantly, she surrendered the man she so dearly loved to the care of others. On Sunday Jan. 11, 2015 through a tearful kiss she would profess her love for and relinquish Dad to the eternal care of his heavenly Father.

On behalf of my sisters, brother and grandchildren I wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to extended family, who during difficult times, looked out for assisted with Dad’s care …… we are forever grateful.

I remember my Dad as a humble man of high moral character, faithful to his wife, children, family, God and country. Armed with a strong work ethic, he proved to be an excellent provider even during tough times when he would welcome tasks branded menial …… as honest work.

Comfortable in his own skin, not the least bit pretentious Dad was content with who and what he was. A man’s man, he marched to his own drummer, calmly playing the hand that was dealt him, focused on taking care of business.

My brother Bob reflects on the truth that Dad saw his life as a good fit, satisfied with what he had, not so prone to wasting precious time in pursuit of something better or different. He efficiently managed available time for roles as son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, little league coach, sports enthusiast, employee and friend. He knew how and when to set responsibilities aside and relax. He and mom often spoke of their love of music, the camaraderie of good friends and seizing any opportunity to ….. “dance the night away.” Despite different ….. “management styles” ….. Dad and Mom were an effective team, had each other's backs and would ultimately be guided by their faith in God and unconditional love for each other. I and my siblings will forever be grateful for their gifts of unconditional love, hard work and resolute example ……. insisting that we learn to …….. care for others, T H I N K for ourselves and accept responsibility for our decisions.

Dads love and influence was not limited to his four children. Grandson Matthew recalls the urge to rush home to Pepe’s side following news of a turn for the worse. Matt writes …..

I immediately wanted to rush home, be with him and tell him how much he meant to me. . My Pepe was like a second father to me and I wasn’t ready to let him go. I remember his gift of a toy truck, an exact replica of the one he drove for 27 years. Gigantic tire tubes for the pool, weekend naps on Pepe’s porch, baseball on TV ….. with the inevitable nap …… and matching suits for Aunt Beth’s wedding. Tight hugs, calling my name, candle pin bowling and hearing him sing in church. Florida visits to include golf, swimming, tennis and billiards, but it’s Christmases that I will remember the most. A few short weeks ago we shared a meal and a beer at what we both knew would be our last Christmas together. As I helped him into the car I realized that Pepe had accepted that his time was near and sensed that his will had shifted accordingly. It was then I understood the meaning of words my brother – in - law had shared with me …… “the will to die is greater than the will to live”. Jesus said: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” ~ John 14:1-2 Pepe believed this to be true. He trusted God and had faith in his son Jesus Christ. His will to die was also his will to live an everlasting life. It was only fitting that he would pass on the sabbath – the day he faithfully devoted to worship and rest.

Baby sister Beth recalls Dad’s relief with a long awaited Red Sox World Series victory. She accurately notes that ……. Dad had and easy way about him that made people comfortable and want to be around him. Debbie reminds us of Dad’s verbal rants directed at a defenseless family television, usually in response to a less than auspicious performance by any one of his favorite teams ….. more often than not ….. stop me if you’ve heard this one before….. his beloved Red Sox. Let’s not forget …….. his legendary ability to calm a crying baby, dogged pursuit of lottery’s big jackpot and proud participation in Pine Lakes amateur productions …….. elements of a routine, familiar to a man certain of his lot in life. Finally granddaughter Jennifer’s thoughts the day following her last visit with Pepe speak for us all ……. Yesterday we said goodbye to an amazing man I had the privilege to call Pepe. How lucky I, my sister and cousins were to have been blessed with such an amazing grandfather! I have so many fond memories of him …..looking up while he sang in the church choir, his big smile and contagious laugh, his left handedness ….only when he ate… and there wasn't a cranky baby who wouldn't be soothed to sleep by his magic touch. The past few years have been painful as we watched a once vibrant healthy man slowly weaken before our eyes. Though we all knew the day was coming that Pepe would no longer be with us, nothing prepares you for that moment when it becomes reality. I'm forever grateful that my children and all of his great grandchildren were able to know Pepe and form memories of him. With all my heart I believe that on arrival at the gates of heaven the youngest of us, a pretty little red headed girl ran up to him and gave him the biggest hug! I believe he and Devin are smiling, laughing and catching up on missed time. So, dear Pepe, while I'm relieved your pain has passed, I am saddened that you are no longer with us. Thank you for being such a wonderful grandfather! Rest in peace, we love you and will miss you very much!