Harold Leo Parent

Millers Falls, Massachusetts
Millers Falls, Massachusetts
Harold L. Parent, 90, of 58 South Prospect Street, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 following a period of declining health.  A native of Northampton, MA, he was born on August 27, 1924 to Edward and Adeline (Morin) Parent.  Harold attended parochial and public schools in Northampton and left school to enlist in the United States Navy during WWII. 
As a member of the Greatest Generation, Harold entered military service on November 20, 1942 and served honorably aboard the battleship USS Iowa and aboard a patrol craft USS PC-796, attaining the rate of Soundman 3^rd Class and was discharged on October 27, 1945.  Upon his return to civilian life, he attended art college in Boston, Massachusetts.
Harold worked for the former Prophylactic Company in Florence, MA, before accepting a position with Couture Brothers Painting Contractors in Turners Falls.  Harold worked for several years for Couture Brothers as a commercial painter and later for Child’s Company in Northampton, MA. He retired from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having worked in the physical plant at Greenfield Community College. 
He was an accomplished and prolific amateur artist, utilizing both pastels and oil for his multitude of landscape paintings that totaled in excess of 180.  Harold gifted the majority of his works to family and friends, but some years ago, was delighted to have been commissioned by a local company to paint a landscape of their business. He was an avid golfer and fan of the game and had a hole-in-one to his credit at the Greenfield Country Club.  He enjoyed ten pin bowling with his wife for many years. He was a fan of the Boston Red Sox and followed football.  Harold also enjoyed a spirited game of pitch and an occasional game of cribbage.  He was a frequent visitor and patron of the library system, as he was an avid reader of all types of periodicals and books. His favorite vacation destination for many years was Lake Winnipesaukee. He attended the Congregational of Grace Church in Turners Falls, MA and formerly the First Congregational Church of Turners Falls, MA.  He was a former member of the Sweet Adeline’s quartet for many years.  He will be remembered for his wry sense of humor and for his generosity.  He was affectionately known by his grandchildren as “Jelly Bean Grampa” as he always had jelly beans for them when they visited.   
He married the former Marion B. (Aldrich) on May 30, 1951 in Turners Falls, MA and they celebrated nearly 46 years of marriage together prior to her passing on May 17, 1997.  Harold and Marion endured the untimely passing of one of their twin daughters, Nadine Parent in 1979. 
Survivors include his loving daughters:  Patricia Sokolowski of Winthrop, ME, wife of the late Robert Sokolowski and their children: Diana Smith (Corey), Stephanie Marks (Ed) and Trishann Harrison (Stephen); Noreen M. (Parent) Browning (twin sister to Nadine) and her husband Jim, of Millers Falls, MA (with whom he made his home and who were his caregivers) and their children: James Browning, Jr., (Cindy), Michelle Howe (Matt), Kelly Hall (James), Tinace Cyphers (Craig), Lee Browning and Joanna Browning.  Additionally, Harold leaves 20 great grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren.  He is also remembered with affection by his sister, Dorothy Kulesza of St. Cloud, FL, as well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Harold was predeceased by his adoring daughter Nadine in 1979, by his loving and devoted wife Marion in 1997 and by his sister Rita Pryzinski in 2012. 
Funeral services in celebration of his life and many gifts, will be observed on Friday, August 7, 2015 at 1:00PM at the Congregation of Grace Church, 148 L Street, Turners Falls, MA, with a period of hospitality to follow in the fellowship hall of the church.  Pastor Rev. Verne Williams will preside, assisted by grandson Rev. James Browning, Jr., of Brooklyn, NY, Associate Pastor and grandson-in-law, Matt Howe and Associate Pastor and brother-in-law, Rev. Wayne Collier.
A private burial service and interment will full military honors will precede the services at the church for the family only. Burial will take place in the Springdale Cemetery, Turners Falls, MA.  Members of the United States Navy will be in attendance to honor Harold for his service during WWII, assisted by the Hale-Clapp VFW Post #3295 of South Deerfield, MA who will provide a firing detail. Visiting hours are omitted.  The Parent family requests that flowers be omitted and that expressions of affection be in the form of a contribution in their father’s memory be made to the Congregation of Grace Church, 148 L Street, Turners Falls, MA 01376. 

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