Ernest E. Parker
July 01 1953 ~ May 31 2024
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Ernest E. Parker, age 70, of Horseheads, NY, passed away peacefully on Friday May 31, 2024, surrounded by his loving children and is now “free at last”. Ernie was predeceased by his wife, Rose on July 8, 2018 and his son, Tim on November 14, 2017. He is survived by his children, Bridgette Mattison, Ammie Parker, Tom Parker (Dawn), Anne Marie Foster (Shawn), Ernie Parker (Missy), many grandchildren and great grandchildren; his siblings Irma Daugherty (Marty); Shirl Coolbaugh (Ken), Margaret Smith (Jim), Nora Westbrook (Leo), Leslie Parker (Becky), John Parker (Kitten), George Parker (Helen), David Parker (Mary), Robert Parker (Cathy), Charles Parker, Paul Parker, the late Betty Jean Wilcox, the late Michael Parker.
Ernie was a true self-taught Jack-of-all-trades. He made friends wherever he went. He was able to make strangers smile with a simple joke, usually asking where the donuts were. He was always helping anyone that needed it. He was admired and respected by many. He had a love for music, playing the guitar and singing. He loved old cars the most but also loved fast cars. He was fortunate to be able to build many homes and pieces of furniture for his family. He was a skilled craftsman. He loved tinkering on small engines and accepting a challenge if someone said something was broken. He always said: if its not broken I can’t fix it.
“The Dash
I read of a man who stood to speak at a funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning…to the end.
He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears but said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own, the cars…the house…the cash. What matters is how we lived and loved and how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard; are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left that still can be rearranged.
To be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile…remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash?” Author Linda Ellis
Interment and a celebration of his life will take place at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to Walk A Mile In My Shoes, 425 Pennsylvania Ave., Elmira, NY 14901 (607) 737-2052, or www.walkamile.net
