Obituary of Walter Parks

Walter S. Parks Allegany, NY Walter S. Parks of Allegany died Saturday (May 4, 2013) at the Bradford Manor, Bradford, PA following a long illness. Born in Buffalo, NY on May 22, 1917 he became an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America and later served in the U.S. Navy from 1936 to 1942. He attended Canisius College and received a B.S. in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from the University of Buffalo in 1952. On August 15, 1942 in Cheektowaga he married the former Alice Chmura of Buffalo who survives. In 1962 he was transferred to the Olean area as a Sales Representative for the Westinghouse Electric Corporation and retired as an Account Executive in 1980 after thirty four years with the company. He was a member of St. Bonaventure Church where he participated as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister and choir member for a number of years. In 2009 he was awarded the Francis Medal from the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus from the Order of Friars Minor for his contribution to the values and ideals of St. Francis of Assisi. He was a Past Faithful Navigator of the Olean Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Allegany Knights of Columbus Council #1220. In addition to his wife he is survived by two daughters Madelynn (Bruce) Fredrickson of Franklinville and Andrea (Richard) Pernick of Tonawanda; a son Walter Gregory Parks of Allegany; four grandchildren Lynn Fredrickson of Amherst, Jon (Tammy) Fredrickson of Lockport, Jan (John) Thome of W. Amherst and Brian (Kari) Pernick of Buffalo; six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, three sisters and several nephews. Friends will be received at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean on Tuesday from 4-8pm. Funeral services will be held Wednesday (May 8, 2013) beginning with a prayer service at 10:30am in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00am in St. Bonaventure Church. Rev. James Vacco, pastor, will be celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Bonaventure Church or to a charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.