Edward "Ed" F. Parker

Edward (Ed, Eddie, Ted, Teddy, Bear) Parker passed away peacefully at the McCarthy Hospice Care Center on October 4th from pancreatic cancer after a long fulfilling life (1944-2024). Ed grew up in Bourne and attended Bourne High School. He served in the Navy as an Engineman on the U.S.S. Fort Mandan (LSD-21) and deployed to the Mediterranean during Vietnam. He would use his HVAC skills to make the stateroom rain if the captain was being unfair to the crew.

Ed spent most of his life fixing, building, and racing dragsters and then funny cars under his team’s moniker, The Cape Codder. He was a New England Hot Rod Hall of Famer, and he had many racing friends up and down the East Coast . During his 50+ year racing career, he mentored many drivers and mechanics and was known in the pits as the guy who would always lend a hand or a part. He loved to win but he loved even more to see cars, crews, and drivers at peak performance.

Ed raised three children with his wife, Noreen, who predeceased him. He enjoyed taking day trips around the Cape and Southcoast, MA, introducing his children to the joys of deep-sea and canal fishing, whale watches, natural history museums and “secret” spots like tucked-away herring runs and geological features. He taught and encouraged his children to follow their dreams, which they did.

He is survived by his brother Jonathan Parker (Lorraine) of Cataumet MA, son Sean Parker (Betsy) of Brewster MA, daughters, Kathleen Parker of Richmond, VA and Dorothy Parker (Tom) of Richmond VA, nephew James Parker of Bourne, MA, and his beloved granddaughter, Norah.

Family invites you to a Celebration of Ed’s Life at the Bourne VFW (Aptucxet VFW Post 5988) on Saturday, November 9th. We will have a remembrance and toast from 4pm-6pm, but we have the space reserved from noon to 10pm so that people can come early, stay late or stop by as their schedule permits. Everybody is welcome (but not required!) to bring a potluck dish. We think a relaxed get-together with friends and family (and of course The Cape Codder outside) is the best way to honor Edward Parker's memory.

Anybody inclined to send flowers or make donations is encouraged to visit www.nhra.com/nhra-community and support any of the fine charitable organizations involved with the National Hot Rod Association.