George G. Parker Jr.

He was born in Bellows Falls, VT on September 5, 1923 the son of George G. Parker, Sr. and Lucile Richardson. He graduated from Bellows Falls High school in 1941 and went to work for the Jones and Lampson Company in Springfield, VT.

On August 27, 1942 he married Frances Brigham to whom he was married for fifty-four years until her death in 1997.

Not long after marrying, George entered military service in May of 1943. Not wanting to be on the water, he joined the U.S. Army. However, ironically, he was assigned to the Amphibious Engineers and became a coxswain of a landing craft. He was stationed in Australia, the Philippines, New Guinea, and with the occupational troops in Japan. George was very proud of the fact that his troops were the first to occupy Nagoya, Japan after the dropping of the Atomic bomb. He received several decorations, but was most proud of the Philippines Liberation medal with one Bronze Star. George was awarded an honorable discharge with the rank of Sargent in 1946.

After leaving the army, George and his wife settled in Keene, NH. He was employed for a total of 21 years as a sales representative for the Educator Biscuit and Sunshine Biscuit Companies. His territory included stores, camps, and schools within a fifty-mile radius of Keene. He spent another twenty years working as an Automotive Sales Administrator at Troy Mills in Troy, NH before retiring in 1988.

George was very involved in veteran affairs, as a life-long member of the Keene Post 799 VFW. He served the Keene Post in several roles including Post Commander in 2001. He was always proud to wear his special hat emblazoned with WWII VETERAN.

Besides being involved in veteran affairs George devoted his energy and work ethic to volunteering at The Cheshire Medical Center. Most of his volunteer years were spent working in the Medication Assistance Program based in the Cheshire Medical Center Pharmacy. During this time at age 78, George became a registered and accredited Pharmacy Technician. In 2008, he received the Joseph Vaughn Award given for outstanding leadership and volunteer service on behalf of New Hampshire Senior Citizens. Just days before his death, George was awarded his Twenty Year Service pin by the Director of Volunteer and Ancillary Services at The Cheshire Medical Center.

George loved to read history of WWII. He also was a big fan of big band music, especially Glen Miller, and could still be found, well into his 90’s “cutting a rug” to Miller’s in The Mood. Although he enjoyed these things, George’s favorite activity was regaling everyone with stories about his family. He was very proud of his daughter and son-in-law, retired educators; his granddaughter, an attorney; and his great-granddaughter, an honor student and national level volleyball player.

George is survived by his daughter, Carolyn Amstein and her husband John of Midlothian, VA, his granddaughter, Julie Cillo of Richmond, VA and his great-granddaughter, Hanna Cillo of Richmond, VA.

Visiting hours will be held at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH on Saturday morning, March 31st from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at which time a memorial service will be held. Spring burial with full military honors will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest that memorial contributions may be made in George’s name to the Cheshire Health Foundation, to Benefit the Volunteer and Ancillary Services, 580 Court Street, Keene, NH 03431.