- Date Of Birth: February 24, 1930
- Date Of Death: May 30, 2015
- State: Maine
James B. “Papa San” Parker
February 24, 1930
May 30, 2015
James Benjamin Parker
“PAPA SAN”
Scarborough
James Benjamin ” Papa San” Parker, 85, died peacefully May 30th, at the Maine Veteran’s Home
in Scarborough, Maine.
He was born Feb. 24, 1930 in Fort Fairfield Maine to
Stephen E. Parker and Blanche E. Morang.
As a boy he worked on his Uncle’s potato farm using horse
and wagon. He was very proud of his roots in “the county”.
His family moved to South Portland during the war. He attended
St. Patrick’s Catholic School and South Portland High School where
he caught the wandering bug. He fibbed about his age to work on
cattle boats with his brother Linus, sailing to Europe and back to
Portland.
At 17, he joined the US Navy for 2 years and was sent to the
Korean Conflict. Shortly after he enlisted in the US Army and
proudly served as a Military Policeman for 23 years, including
a second tour of Korea and 2 tours of Vietnam, where he was
first called, Papa San.
He married Rosa Adelina Peretto, Feb 15, 1958, in Castelgomberto,
Italy. They had two children.
He was a life member of the VFW and American Legion, having served as
Post Commander. He was actively involved in helping Veterans whenever
he could.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Stephen E., Francis X., Linus D.,
Donald W., and Peter M. Parker.
He is survived by his only sister, Mary Lou Groesbeck of MA, daughter
Mary L. Chambers of AZ, son, James B. Parker, II, of Old Orchard Beach,
3 grandchildren, 3 great grandsons and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Maine Veteran’s Home in
Scarborough for their excellent care and compassion. He will greatly missed by many.
