Obituary of Gerald Brooks Parsons

Gerald Brooks Parsons, P.Eng. 92, Doctors Brook, Antigonish County passed May 7 2015 in Green Meadows Community Residence for Seniors, North Grant. Gerald was born in Lush's Bight Newfoundland March 26 1923, and at the age of ten months moved with his family to Brooklyn NY, where he spent the first ten years of his life. In 1933 Gerald's oldest uncle was lost at sea and family responsibility required a returned to Newfoundland. At the age of fifteen he was the first person from the one room school house in Lush's Bight to complete the Provincial Exams successfully. As his father sickened and had to give up fishing, Gerald enrolled at Memorial University of Newfoundland to study Engineering. Upon attaining his Engineering Diploma, he left for the Technical University Nova Scotia in Halifax to complete his studies. Upon his arrival in Halifax he met the love of his life Mary Tompkins. In 1953 they married and three children followed in quick succession. Gerald was first and foremost a family man, and was dedicated to all of them. Gerald was highly regarded and respected in his field, first with the Department of Highways until his retirement in 1983 from Dexter Construction. Gerald loved sailing, a good game of cards, gardening, golf, the Blue Jays, old Scotch, the Cape Breton Highlands, and lots of engaging conversations. Known for his sharp wit and skillful debating, leading to many long after dinner discussions. Gerald was widely read and a philosophical man. Just knowing him was an eduction, and an entertaining one. He is predeceased by his parents, Rupert and Bertha (Brooks), grandson Daniel, and his wife Mary. He is survived by one sister, Jean, (Dr. Cyril Poole), Sackville NB. He survived by his three children, Bruce, Brenda (John) Cameron, Blair (Cindy Dorey), and grandchildren: Julia (Michael) and Nicholas Parsons, Jerrold (Ann Francis) Cameron, Melissa (Brendan) Hines, Margaret (Adrian), Cameron, Rebecca (Sean) Cameron, Adam and Anna Parsons: and ten great grandchildren, Ewan Cameron, Mya, Jon, Sadie and Sam Hines; Brooke, Elsa, Lauchlin and Andrew Cameron, and Quinn Holley. He led a full and very colourful life and left us all enriched and thankful. All agreed, a life well lived. Visitation 2-4pm Sunday, May 10, in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant St., Antigonish. Funeral Mass 11:00am Monday in St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Arisaig, Rev Colin MacKinnon presiding. Burial in the parish cemetery. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Lee and the staff of Green Meadows Retirement Home for their kindness and loving care.