Melvin “Mel” A. Parker, age 71, passed peacefully on November 18, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. He was a survivor of esophageal cancer and beat the odds for more than five years, but God called him home. His was a life well lived, and we will miss him greatly.

Mel graduated from Academy High School in 1965 and served in the U.S. Navy as a radio operator from 1965 until 1968. The “must see” photo albums of his deployment to Morocco showcased just some of the escapades of his younger days. Mel was a member of Ironworkers Local Union #3, formerly Union #348, and he worked hard his whole life to provide for his family.

Mel was an active participant in his church, South Harborcreek United Methodist Church and served in the Kairos Prison Ministry for many years. He had a wide variety of interests and pursuits. Mel golfed, fished, and hunted; if the weather was right during his retirement, he could do all three on the same day – the trifecta. On other days, he loved to collect beach glass, listen to Creedence Clearwater Revival, play euchre and cribbage, workout at the Eastside YMCA, watch NCIS, and pretend he was watching football while napping in his recliner. Mel was a good man; devoted to his wife, family, friends, faith, and community.

Mel is survived by his beloved wife Barbara Parker, two children, Chris Parker (Tracy) of North East, PA, and Nichole Parker (Chris Chryssovergis) of Minneapolis, MN, and younger brother Keith Parker of Erie, PA. He was the best Papa/Papou in the world to his four grandchildren, Chris Parker (Ali), Brittany Parker, Gabrielle Johnson, and Aristotelis Chryssovergis; and to his great-grandson Braylon Prescott. He is also survived by his sister- and brother-in-law Patty and Rick Jaworski and his nephews Matt Jaworski (Stefanie Moraski), Rob Jaworski (Janeen), Dan Jaworski (Alyson), and their wonderful children.

He is preceded in death by his mother Dorothy Lapinski, father Melvin Parker, Sr., and his nephew, Jim Jaworski.

There will be no observed services per his request. However, we would love you to share your memories of him and, if you are so inclined, to recite one of his favorite prayers, The Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Melvin Parker, may be made to South Harborcreek United Methodist Church, 7929 McGill Road, Harborcreek, PA 16421 or Kairos Prison Ministry, PA SCI Albion, P.O. Box 224, Meadville, PA 16335. The Parker family would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to the team from Great Lakes Hospice for their compassionate care.

May his memory be eternal.

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