Richard Fulton Parker Sr.

Richard Fulton Parker Sr., affectionately known as “Dick,” passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on September 6, 2026, at his home in Centerville, Massachusetts, surrounded by his beloved wife and family. He had celebrated his 96th birthday just three days earlier.

Dick was born on September 3, 1930, in Goffstown, New Hampshire, to George K. Parker and Eunice (Sumner) Parker. In 1950, he proudly entered the United States Navy, serving his country for 4 years. Following his military service, Dick began a long career as an air traffic controller. In 1983, Dick and his beloved wife, Euphemia “Famie” Parker, moved to Cape Cod after building their dream home on a beautiful piece of property in Centerville. It was there that they created a home that would become the setting for decades of memories with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family and friends.

Dick and Famie shared an extraordinary 72 years of marriage and built a life centered around family, love and the home they created together. Family was at the heart of Dick's life. He had a caring and generous heart and was always there for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Whether someone needed his help, his support, his advice or simply his presence, they knew they could count on him. He took tremendous pride in his family and found great joy in watching it grow through the generations.

Retirement certainly did not mean slowing down for Dick. He spent many years working as a golf starter at Oyster Harbors, a place he truly loved. The golf course brought him tremendous joy, and some of his family's favorite memories were made there. One particularly special and often retold memory was the day Dick made a hole-in-one on the third hole while teaching his grandson, Nathaniel, to golf.

Dick also spent many years providing personal training to people at Oyster Harbors, helping others stay active and healthy while forming lasting relationships along the way. Among those relationships were his dear clients, the Maddens, whom he trained for many years.

Dick was an avid sports fan, with a special love for the New England Patriots. He loved settling in to watch the Patriots play and enjoyed following sports of all kinds. His cable package seemed to have every sports channel under the sun, and remarkably, Dick knew all the channel numbers by heart. If there was a game on somewhere, he knew exactly where to find it. Golf remained a favorite off the course as well, and he spent many hours watching tournaments and his favorite golfers on television.

Some of Dick's happiest moments, however, were also the simplest. He loved sitting on the deck of his Centerville home with a cup of coffee, watching the birds and keeping a very close eye on the squirrels to make sure they didn't eat all the birdseed.

Many special family memories were made during summers on Cape Cod, where his three older grandchildren spent countless days with their Papa and Nana. Those summers brought the kind of moments and family stories that would be remembered and retold for years. One running joke was that whenever the grandchildren really wanted something, they knew exactly who to send in to ask, Brittany. She had a special way of “buttering up” Papa, and everyone knew that if Brittany was the one doing the asking, there was a pretty good chance the answer would be yes. It became one of those little family traditions that still brings a smile and is remembered with great affection.

His home was a gathering place not only for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but also for the many “extra kids” his granddaughter Caitlyn inevitably brought along over the years. There was always room for one more. As Dick himself said on his 96th birthday, just three days before his passing, “The more the merrier.” It was a simple phrase that perfectly captured the way he welcomed people into his home and his life.

Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Euphemia “Famie” Parker; his two sons, Richard F. Parker Jr. of Sarasota, Florida, and his partner, Charlie Lenger, and Russell Parker of Miami, Florida. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Caitlyn (Parker) Bouchard and her husband, Randall Bouchard, of Bristol, Connecticut; Nathaniel Parker of Sunny Isles, Florida; Brittany Parker of Boca Raton, Florida; and Fai-Mei Parker of Miami, Florida. Dick's legacy continues through his six great-grandchildren: Kayla Bouchard, Alianna Colon Parker, Madalyn Bouchard, Nickolas Parker, Tristan Bouchard, and Gianni Delikat.

Following a heart attack the week before his passing, Dick was able to remain where he wanted to be, in the home he loved. His family is especially grateful to Josie Parker Soucy, the daughter-in-law he considered his daughter, who provided loving care and support during Dick's final days. Her kindness and assistance helped make it possible for him to remain comfortable at home, surrounded by Famie and his family.

Above all else, Dick leaves behind a family filled with memories of a life well lived, a life of service, hard work, a caring heart, family, golf, Patriots games, Cape Cod mornings, coffee on the deck and more than a few battles with the squirrels.

After 96 years, his legacy lives on in the generations that follow him and in the many people whose lives he touched along the way. His family will deeply miss his presence, his stories, his familiar routines and, most of all, the comfort of knowing he was always there.

In accordance with Dick's wishes, there will be no funeral services. His family will gather next summer on Cape Cod to celebrate his life and the many memories they were fortunate enough to share with him.

“The more the merrier.”