1912 – 2003
LEWISTON – Donald F. Parker, 90, of 55 Northern Ave., Auburn, died Wednesday, July 9, at Russell Park Manor where he resided for the past three months.
Born in Auburn, Aug. 16, 1912, a son of Edith Lee Dobson Parker and Francis Mellon Parker.
He attended Auburn schools until moving to Litchfield, in 1925 to make his home with his uncle Harry Alton Parker, where he attended Litchfield Academy. Graduated class of 1931.
On July 12, 1935 he married Theo E. Hill of Monmouth. Moving to Auburn, he was in the tool & die maker trade for 37 years of service as a workman, foreman, and also superintendent with Auburn Die Co., Inc., retiring from there in 1974. He then was employed by the Maine Turnpike retiring in 1996, having served as a toll collector for 21 years.
He enjoyed many hobbies such as carpentry, building his own six-room Cape Cod home with two baths, and also grandfather clocks. His love of flying, especially, obtaining his private pilot’s license in 1955 and commercial pilot’s license in 1958.
Another hobby was traveling by car with his wife “Theo”, from 1967 to 49 states (missed Alaska) (California twice), Mexico by eight times and Guatemala twice, Canada including Newfoundland.
Then came jet tours1967, 11 trips to Hawaii, British Isles, Scandinavia, France, Holland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Paris, Switzerland, South America, Puerto Rico and Brazil.
He was a member of Tranquil Lodge of Masons 29 in Auburn; Past Master of Dunlap Council 8; Bradford Royal Arch Chapter, 9, Past High Priest; Past Commander of Lewiston Commandry, 6 KT; also Kora Temple Shrine AAONMS.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years; a son, Dr. James Hill Parker of Aberdeen, NJ; a daughter and her husband, Nancy May and William Bartley of Kittery; four grandchildren, James W. Parker and Lisa Lynn Parker of New Jersey, Parker W. Bartley and wife Malihe of Kingston, Pa., and Thomas A. Bartley and wife Gloria of Durham; five great-grandsons; 27 nieces and nephews; as well as numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.
He was predeceased by his parents; and two sisters, Dorothy Stevens of Auburn and Ruth Chaney of Bath.
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