Eugene Russell Parkins

Eugene Russell Parkins Jr. passed away peacefully at the Abbotsford Regional Hospital due to complications from a recent cancer diagnosis. Eugene was born in Bremerton, Washington, on September 19, 1935, graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 1957 and married his wife Helen Monica Hopkins in June of that year.

With his loving wife and partner, Eugene spent his entire career in Christian service. He worked with Arctic Missions in Alaska and British Columbia, Aldersgate College in Saskatchewan, and finished his career as Executive Director of Mission Aviation Fellowship Canada.

He was a man of big adventures that often-included family. In the 1950s he became a private pilot, owning three aircraft and flying them in parts of Alaska, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. He also owned four sailboats and navigated parts of Georgian Bay and the Gulf Islands over several decades of sailing. During his time with Mission Aviation Fellowship, he traveled extensively through Asia, Africa and Latin America, supporting pilots and families in church work and emergency relief and development.

After retiring to Abbotsford in 1997, Eugene indulged in the wonders of amateur radio, with active memberships in local clubs, including regular trips up Sumas Mountain to keep the radio repeater running. In addition to radios, he was adept with computers and helped many people with their software and hardware challenges. He was also an active member of Calvin Presbyterian Church, where he sang in the choir and played viola and violin duets with his wife Helen.

Eugene also loved his family and received much joy in supporting his children, Nancy (Mel), Vicky (Cam), John (Michelle), grandchildren (Patrick, Mitchell, Trevor, Caleb, Elena, Joshua and Maya) and great grandchild (Ethan). His family have fond memories of sailing adventures, camping trips and bike rides with grampa. In the last few years, Eugene gave much of his time and energy to caring for his wife of 67 years. He is survived by his wife Helen, his children, Nancy and John, and all his grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Vicky.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023, at 2:00PM

Calvin Presbyterian Church

33911 Hazelwood Avenue

Abbotsford, BC

V2S 7V2 Canada