Obituary of John C. Parsons

John C. Parsons John C. Parsons, 82, a retired auto dealer, died Saturday, December 12, 2009 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie. A lifelong resident of the Town of Wappinger, he was born in an old farmhouse, since torn down, on the family farm on Myers Corners Road on July 4, 1927, the son of the late Edward Sheldon Parsons and Genevieve (Campbell) Parsons. He attended the former Myers Corners one-room school house on All Angels Hill Road. John while growing up worked on local farms. During World War II he served proudly served in the Navy Seabees. He and his brother, Bill started a small part-time used car operation on Myers Corners Road in 1950 on what was part of the family farm. Over the years, that grew into an American Motors/Jeep dealership as well as a GMC Truck dealership. They sold the dealerships in June 1979 and both semi-retired. He was a life member of the New Hackensack Fire Company and one of its founders in 1949. He was an active firefighter for 55 years. John was also a founding member of the VFW in Hopewell Junction. In 1993, he together with his brother Bill and his wife, Helen were instrumental in the creation of the Town of Wappinger World War II War Memorial in Schlathaus Park. In 1994, John, Bill and Helen were each honored by the Exchange Club of Southern Dutchess. They received the club's Annual Meritorious Service Award for outstanding community service. John is survived by his brother, James of the Town of New Paltz; one niece and three nephews and his companion, Carol Barnes. He was predeceased by his parents, his only sister, Mrs. Edwin W. (Jean) Smith who died June 6, 1991 and his older brothers, Edward S. Parson, Jr. who died October 15, 1999 and William T. Parsons who died May 12, 2007. Family will receive their friends from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls. A Funeral Service will be held at 10 am on Thursday, December 17 at the funeral home. Interment will follow Wappingers Rural Cemetery. Memorial donations in John's name may be made to the SPCA, 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. To send the family a personal condolence or for directions to the funeral home, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com