"I do not know this man, but have read some of the messages left to his family he must have been a very wonderful man. I want the family to know from all the Parsley's in the USA he will be deeply missed even though we didn't know him. May God bles you all in this time of the loss of your loved one. BettyParsleyByrd"
In loving memory of
PATRICK J. PARSLEY
November 2, 1957 - April 19, 2009
Patrick J. Parsley, 51, of 513 Pine Street, Marquette, died early Sunday morning, April 19, 2009 at his home after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer.
Patrick was born on November 2, 1957 in Iowa City, Iowa, a son of the late James and Constance Gladys Jean (Cook) Parsley and was a 1976 graduate of Westwood High School in Sloan, Iowa.
Pat proudly served his country with the United States Air Force as a jet engine mechanic, retiring from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska in September of 2000. He served his country for 24 years, 13 of those years at the former K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base.
He and his wife, Christie, moved to Marquette in October of 2001 where Pat graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering technology.
He was a member of St. Christopher Catholic Church and was active in the Worldwide Marriage Encounter movement with his wife. Pat was the local chairman of the Ruffed Grouse Society. He had a passion for hunting, fishing, camping and motorcycling and was also a certified motorcycle safety instructor.
Pat was a member of St. Christopher Knights of Columbus Council #13333 as well as Bishop Baraga the Snowshoe Priest Assembly, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.
He is survived by his loving wife, the former Christie Paveglio, whom he married on August 19, 1994 at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette; two step-daughters, Barbara Ann (Paul) Conwell of Schaumburg, IL and Billie Mae (Gerry) Neher and their daughter, Natalie Serena Neher of Marquette; one brother, Michael Jon (Linda Prendergast) Parsley of Underwood, WA; his step-mother, Twyla Mowery Parsley of Smithland, IA; a step-sister, Ronelle Marnell of Smithland, IA; also several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Friends may call at the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. where a parish prayer service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 11:30 a.m. in St. Christopher Catholic Church with Rev. Jeff Johnson officiating and Deacon Steve Gualdoni assisting. Interment will take place in the Holy Cross Cemetery.
Members of St. Christopher Knights of Columbus Council #13333 will act as escorts and members of Bishop Baraga the Snowshoe Priest Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will provide an honor guard.
Tributes
"Pat was married to my cousin Debbie Tweedale. No matter what happened with that I alway did like Pat and I did meet Christie along with him one time in Green Bay. We went to Baskin Robbins for some ice cream and a chat. We lost touch after that. You have my sympathies."
"We were so sorry to hear about Pat's passing. Barbara had kept us up to date during his illness. We always heard such wonderful things about both you, Christie, and Pat through Barbara. He has been in our prayers and now he is at peace and free from pain."
"Christie, I was gone to Georgia to visit my daughter and just found out today about Pat. It is with tears that I send my love and deepest sympathy and prayers. May God comfort you and your family. Vickie"
"Dear Pat, Thank you for taking my mom on so many amazing and exciting adventures! Im sure the stories weve heard and memories youre shared with us only scratch the surface of the places youve been, people youve known, and things youve done together. You have changed our lives so much and we are thankful for that. I hope you know how many of our friends and colleagues, whom you have never met, have asked about you, thought about you, and prayed for you because they know how important you are to us. You are hard working, strong, and you have more perseverance and courage than anyone I have ever known. Your heart shines brightly through my mother onto me, my sister, our husbands and your granddaughter and we are all better people having you in our lives. Love, Barbara and Paul Conwell"
"To all friends and family, I am so sorry to hear about Pat. All my thoughts and prayers are with you. As my sister Barb said, our families we grew up together and I have many fond memories of our get-togethers out on the farm. One memory is vivid to me; Pat was trying to show me how to ride his Honda 50 motorcyle and when I tried it on my own I popped a wheelie and landed flat on my back. We all had a good laugh at the expense of my mechanical ineptness. Pat was a sweet and kind person and he will be missed. God bless you and your family. Cindi Wing"
"Christie, We will miss him terribly and please call if you need anything Love Bob&Bobbie"
"We are truly saddened by Pat's passing. He will be missed dearly. Our most precious memory is our visit with Pat and Kristie, and their family and friends on Easter weekend 2009. We shared a very special Easter dinner and special moments together. Thank you for sharing Pat and your family and friends with us. Also, thank you Billie for sharing a special moment with us when Pat passed away. You are all dear friends to us. May God Bless you and give you and your family strength during this very sad time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. With love, K.G., Theresa, and Autumn"
"Christi, Am so sorry at your loss of Pat. He will be remerbered as a good and faithful servent. Love, Theresa"
"We are richer for having had Pat walk with us for a time and feel blessed by his life."
"To friends and family of Pat, All my thoughts and prayers to you during your time of loss. yes my name is patrick (pat) j. parsley. i live in marquette too."
"Our hearts are filled with sorry for your loss. Pat was such a kind and loving person and we will miss him very much. All our love, Your cousin, Sandy & Jon"
"Christie, so sorry to hear of Pat's passing. He put up quite a battle and had such a positive attitude. We had a wonderful time with the both of you when you were back in Iowa. Pat was a great guy and friend. You have been in our thoughts and prayers. Take care of yourself. All our love!"
"To friends and family of Pat, All my thoughts and prayers to you during your time of loss. Pat and I were in marching band at Westwood and I remember with fondness his enthusiasm and leadership as our Drum Major. Since Twyla and my mom were friends, we went to a lot of "family picnics" together. Pat was always a class act and a kind and gentle man. He will be missed. Barb (Wing)Zwiener"
"Christie, I'm so sorry to hear about Pat! Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Your old neighbors (517 Pine) Sherry & Michael LaCosse"
"Christie and family, We admire your courage in handling this long struggle. It was not easy, and we are proud of you for your marvelous support and coping skills. Peace be with you."
"Billie & Family, You're are all in our thoughts and prayers. I enjoyed seeing Pat at your biking gatherings and Natalie's first birthday party. He was a fighter and is now without any further pain and suffering. God's Peace, Michelle,Dirk&Spencer"
"Christie and Billie, Know that you and your family are in our prayers during this time. Christie, it was evident from the first time we met you and Pat how much you loved one another and truly enjoyed being with the other. We will always remember the camping trip out in Germfask years ago. Pat was so much fun that weekend. Now that Pat is Home - heaven will never be the same! Billie, your devotion to your mother and Pat is a true testament of your love for them. I'm sure it has not been easy - yet, I know it has been an honor and privilege for you. May God Bless you all and console you in your grief."
"Christie, My heart goes out to you and your family. You and Pat have been in my thoughts and prayers. I will always cherish the time we had together, the fun we had and most of all... the love you and Pat had for Jesus Christ and each other. Consider yourself hugged from an old friend of your hubby :("
"Christie, You'll never know how happy we were to come visit Pat and yourself when we did. It was so pleasureable and and so filled with memories. Those memories will never go away and you know we'll do it all over again when we meet again in heaven. Our hearts go out to you and the rest of the family. Always remember that God will sustain you. God be with you. Bill and Jan Jamerson"
"Our prayers and sympathy go out to you and your family. Pat was a classmate of mine all through school. Rhonda has kept me up-to- date about Pat and they are our neighbors in Albaton. I also grew up across the road from Pat's cousins (Bud & Irene Parsley family). Dick & Scott were good friends of my husband's and mine. I will always remember Pat as a very kind and reserved gentleman."
"Pat always had a ready smile and a hug for all of us. A kind gentle soul he carried within."
"I will always remember - I will never forget I will always remember how you loved my mother completely with all your heart. I will never forget how wholly you loved her whole family, and how warmly you welcomed us. I will always remember your passion for God, Family and Hunting and Fishing. I will never forget my trips to Alaska, walking with you on a glacier, combat fishing and best of all target shooting. No, Best of All being with you and sharing our time and our lives. I will always remember the wonderful cook! I will never forget Holy Saturday Prime Rib Dinners. I will always remember you sharing our joy when your first Grandchild was born. I will never forget what a wonderful Grandpa you always were. I will never forget you taught and helped her with her first summersault. I will honor you and teach her how to fish and I will teach her to be fair thats something you wanted to do and would have done. I will always remember how strong and compassionate you were. I will never forget your love for book, learning, teaching and sharing. You gave all you could, stood for what you believed, protected me, my mother, our family and our Country. You served God and now you are with your mother & father, and We will always remember - We will never forget"
"Dear Christie and family, my sincere sympathy to you on the loss of Pat. Pat was my very first boyfriend in the 6th grade. He gave me a "diamond" ring with a green stone in it. I'll never forget that ring or him. All these years he has held a special place in my heart. YOu never forget your first boyfriend. He was also ten days older than me and we thought that was neat. Rhonda Wilt told me Pat was sick about a month ago. I have been praying for him since and will now pray to him as an angel in heaven. Though I hadn't seen him since 1976, I'm sure he was a man of great character and integrity. May God give you strength to perservere through this. My brother is retired Air Force as well. God Bless Pat and his entire family. Sincerely, Peg Peterson Prothero"
"We are sorry for your loss. You & your family are in our thoughts & prayers."
"Ronelle, Twyla snd family, I am so sorry to hear about Pat. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family."
"Christie, Memories ~ they fill our minds and warm our hearts. They will guide us through this arduous time. It was just one year ago that I met you both at Rick's benefit luncheon on the campus of NMU. You were both the messangers of courage and hope we needed to sustain us during Rick's bone marrow transplant in Detroit. It wasn't until we read the Renee Prusi article that we knew the outcome of Pat's battle. She has done a fabulous job on shedding light on the disease, its battles and journeys. Who would have thought both Rick and Pat would be with our Lord within days of one another? Solace ~ no more suffering or pain for them. Just know my thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless and embrace you and your family."
"Dear Christie, I am both saddened and shocked to hear that Patrick left us. He always had a smile on his face and a great outlook on life. He was an inspiration to everyone that knew him and will be sadly missed. My heart goes out to you and please know that Patrick's spirit will always be with you. Anna Tomacari"
"It was an honor to interview Pat and Christie. They are truly an inspirational couple. My thoughts and prayers are with the Parsley family at this most difficult time."
"We continue to spiritually hold you,Christie, even as we say goodbye to Pat. You two have played a big part in our marriage since we met at ME so many years ago. God's Blessings."
"Dear Christy, On behalf of our St. Stephen Lutheran Cell Group, The Rogues, we want to extend our most sincere condolences at the loss of Patrick. Through our dear mutual friends, Mike and Mary McColeman, we have kept you and Pat in our thoughts and prayers throughout Pats courageous fight with esophageal cancer. Through the many stories that Mike would share about his friendship with Patrick we have come to feel as though we new him personally. Mike shared with us that the basic principles of jet engine propulsion were first taught to him by Pat. The principle of Suck, Bang, Blow, Go have changed how we think of jet engines forever! We know that you and Pat are devout Christians and we take comfort in knowing that Pat is with Jesus, our Lord and Savior and we look forward to meeting him when we too are called home to be with our father. May the Holy Spirit be with you in this time of sorrow and keep you his loving arms and care. Sincerely, Joanne, Joan, Jeanne, Hazel, Harold, Paul and Carol, Mike and Mary, Levi and Joy The Rogues"