Obituary: Kenneth James Parsons

Kenneth James Parsons, of Bethel, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at Laurel Ridge Nursing Home, with his children by his side, after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

Parsons was born at Hartford Hospital on December 14, 1932, and was raised in Hartford by his late parents James A. and Laura (Knowlton) Parsons. Part curmudgeon/mad scientist/armchair quarterback, he was a know-it-all who really knew it all. After graduating from Hall High in West Hartford, CT in 1951, he went on to enlist in the army where he served in Germany during the Korean War as a surveyor. Ken came back from service and attended the University of Connecticut on the GI Bill and graduated in 1956 with a B.S. in Geology. He later taught surveying at Waterbury Community College.

Not a day went by that he did not learn something new and sought to impart his knowledge with any one that would listen. He read voraciously, traveled extensively and his thirst for trying new things never abated. Until a few weeks ago he successfully completed the NY Times crossword puzzle every Sunday with his friend Lorraine Clark at in Bethel. While tremendously enjoying life, he also had an incredible work ethic that continued to the end. Upon graduating from college he worked for O & G Industries for many years as a Superintendent and was responsible for the construction of much of Interstate 84 and Route 8. He went on to several successful business pursuits culminating in his owning Compaginuity Inc., which was responsible for building the Military Museum among other prestigious buildings in the area.

Moving to Bethel to raise his family in 1960, he was a true citizen of Bethel serving on the Sewer Authority, Planning & Zoning Committee, and was a Selectman under the tenure of Francis J. Clarke. He was also chairman of the Republican Club, President of the Young Republicans, President of the Jaycees, President of the Exchange Club and the first President of the Bethel Football Booster Club (a precursor to the Bethel All Sports Booster Club). He was also a sports photographer for The Bethel Home News while his children were at BHS ensuring their coverage in the sports section. After smoking for many years, Ken quit 30 years ago and became a zealous anti-smoker, culminating in his becoming President of the local chapter of the American Cancer Society.

A fitness fanatic his whole life, he was a member of many gyms, but spent most of the last 25 years working out at Sportplex in Danbury and was in fact still using the rowing machine while on chemotherapy. He spent many years running, then walking at the BHS track (with his friend Sue Holbrook) where he later watched his grandchildren at track and cross country meets. In additions to fitness, he loved to sail, both in the Caribbean and Candlewood Lake where he spent many happy years as a member of The Candlewood Yacht Club, sailing his Flying Scot the “Albatross” and serving as Commodore during the 1970’s.

He lived by the adage “of course you can, just try a little harder”. This applied to everything he did, how he lived and how he thought everyone should live. There was really nothing he could not do or at least tried to do.

He is survived by his son: Kenneth Parsons and his wife Lada, of Bethel; his daughter: Tracy Parsons and her husband Terry Hennessy of Bethel and Ridgefield. He is also survived by his beloved grandson Spencer Parsons and granddaughter Kelsey Parsons of whom he was so proud of their athletic and scholastic accomplishments and his youngest granddaughter Leada whom he adored watching play around him. He was predeceased by his sister Lois Carlson, but is survived by his older sister Nancy Ferguson and her husband Robert, his brother Philip and his wife Linda and his brother- in-law John Carlson and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his former wife Barbara Ann Bayard Parsons of Bethel.

In lieu of flowers, as Ken requested that donations be made to the Bethel All Sports Booster Club at ASBC, P.O. Box 1095, Bethel CT 06801.

The family will receive friends for memorial calling hours, at the , 215 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, from 3 to 5 pm. Cremation will be at the convenience of the family.