Michael A. “Mike” Parks – 72 – of 106 Front St., Hornell, died Saturday morning (December 12, 2020) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, following a long illness.

Born in Hornell on January 23, 1948, he was the son of Maurice & Armella (Klos) Parks.

Mike grew up in Hornell and attended Hornell High School.  He was a veteran of the US Marine Corp, serving two tours of duty during the Vietnam Conflict.  On the day before he was to be discharged from the Marines, Mike was wounded having been shot in the leg during combat.  He received the Purple Heart Medal and was later honorably discharged from the military.  His injury would prove to be somewhat “disabling” for the remainder of his life and a painful reminder of the tragedies of war!

Following his discharge from the Marines, Mike returned to the Hornell area and for many years had been a member of the Hornell VFW and the Hornell American Legion.  In his younger years he enjoyed hunting and throughout the years was a Buffalo Bills Football Fan — especially during the Super Bowl years.

Mike would spend countless hours exercising his leg by walking the stores of Wal-Mart, Lowes and Wegmans, visiting with family & friends.  In recent years he became a “bird watcher” and enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels in his yard.  His greatest joy in life, however, was simply loving and taking care of his family, especially his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was married on November 23, 1968 to the former Rose M. “Rosie” Wyant who died in 2015.  He was also preceded in death by his brother, Tim “Dump” Parks who died in 2005.

Surviving are 2 daughters, Marcy Parks of Rochester and Michelle (Scott) Eason of Hornell; 4 sisters, Rosie (Charles) Rees of Hornell, Maureen (Daniel) Haynes of Almond, Suzanne Flaitz of Dansville and Christine Gardner of Rochester; 3 grandchildren, Kristi Parks, Michael Fisk and Colbie Eason; 2 great-grandchildren, Rilee Parks and Octavia Vancise; several nieces & nephews.

At Mike’s request there will be no calling hours.  A private Memorial Service with full military honors will be held at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY at the convenience of the family with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating.   Final interment will be in the Bath National Cemetery, Bath, NY.

The Memorial Service for Michael A. “Mike” Parks will be streamed via Facebook Live and can be viewed on the Dagon Funeral Home Facebook page on Saturday at 1:00 PM by visiting www.facebook.com/dagonfuneralhome.  The video will remain available for viewing on our Facebook page for 30 days.

Mike’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to the Bath VA Activities Fund, 76 Veterans Ave., Bath, NY 14810.