John Parks

John W. “Jack” Parks, age 92, of Erie, passed away on Thursday, February 14, 2019 at UPMC Hamot, following a brief illness.

He was born in Tonawanda, NY on January 29, 1927, son of the late John W. Parks, Sr. and Ruth Wolf Parks.

Jack graduated from StrongVincent High School and in 1964 founded Jack Parks and Sons, Inc.  He was a member of the Times Old Newsies, the Elks Club (BPOE # 67) and was an honorary supporter of the Colony Pub and Grille.  Jack was a very active 92 year-old until he became ill just a few weeks ago. He was a very social person and was known to his grandchildren as “no filter Pop.”  He was a loving father and doting grandfather and great-grandfather.  Jack never missed his grandson’s baseball games.  He was a very well-known local artist and a very special person who touched many people.  He was also an avid fan of the Buffalo Bill’s, New York Yankees and the Erie Steelheads (his grandson’s baseball team).

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Joan Finney, and two grandsons, Christopher Parks and Brett Rowland.

Jack is survived by four children, James (Lesley) Parks, Jody (Teria) Parks, Kathy Rowland and Chriss (David) Smykowski; ten grandchildren, Tim, Matt, Andrew, McKenzie, Nick, Megan, Molly, Tyler and Collin, four great-grandchildren and a sister Susan Hill.  He is further survived by a special niece Jen Graham, three nephews and very special companion, Val Nivens, 

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26^th Street, (at Powell Avenue,) on Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of service there at 4 p.m.

Burial will be private and held at the convenience of the family.

Memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 1645 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505.