Regis George Parks

Regis George Parks, 88, of Gainesville, GA passed away on April 12, 2015 at Embracing Hospice in Cumming, GA. He is preceded in death by his wife, Florence Torraca Parks; brother, Gerald John Parks; daughter, Sandra Parks Lankford, and son, Regis George Parks, II. Mr. Parks attended St. Ann s Catholic School in Millvale, PA and was a devoted Catholic all his life. His hobbies included singing at church on Sundays, swimming, bowling and playing the saxophone. He joined the Navy at age 17 and while stationed in New London, CT met and married Florence Torraca from Boston, MA. They returned to Pittsburgh and raised a family of 6 children. The family moved to Miami, Florida in 1960 where Mr. and Mrs. Parks welcomed Regis II, enriching their family to 7 children. Mr. Parks worked as a milkman while living in Florida and excelled in sales and customer service. He was easy going and possessed a positive attitude. He was honest, humble and a hardworking man leading by example and encouraging his children to follow. Mr. Parks coached Little League baseball and football in Miami and was heavily involved in the Optimist Club program for girls and boys. After attending St. Monica s Catholic Church on Sundays, the family went to Hollywood Beach and Mr. Parks could be seen cooking on the grill at the park pavilion. He donated blood regularly, earning him and his family the ability to receive free blood transfusions for life courtesy of the John Elliot Blood Bank in Miami, FL. After retirement, Mr. Parks moved to Cape Coral, FL where he volunteered over 1,000 hours at the local hospital, delivered meals-on-wheels to the elderly citizens and served as Governor at the Local Moose Lodge. In 2005 Mr. Parks moved to Gainesville, GA where he enjoyed the last years of his life walking his dog at the park and enjoying Lake Lanier Islands. He is survived by son, Ronald Regis (Faye) Parks of Ocala, FL; daughter, Doreen Dawn Parks of Atlanta, GA; daughter, Kathy (Keith) Parks McJenkin of Sharpsburg, GA; daughter, Mary Jane Parks of Safety Harbor, FL; son, Raymond Edward (Nancy) Parks of Marble Falls, TX, and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. A memorial mass will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, April 17, 2015 at The Church of The Good Shepherd. The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Friday at the church. Inurnment with military honors will follow at the Bethelview United Methodist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to The Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA, in Mr. Parks honor. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886.9899
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