Obituary of Samuel C. Parkinson

Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Avenue Denville, New Jersey 07834 (973) 627-1880 Star Ledger, web site—No, 1x Thursday @ Picture Daily Record 1x Thursday @ Picture Morning Call 1x Thursday @ Picture Neighbor News Samuel C. Parkinson, 80, of Allentown, PA, formerly of Denville, NJ, passed away at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Twp., PA on June 6, 2011 surrounded by his family. Born in East Orange, NJ, to the late Edward and Sarah Parkinson (Nolan) on January 27, 1931, he grew up in the north end of Newark. He attended Our Lady of Good Counsel elementary and high schools, Newark, and was inducted into the Our Lady of Good Counsel Hall of Fame in 2008. From 1952 until 1954, he served in the United States Army, stationed in Tokyo, Japan. Upon his return, he attended Seton Hall University receiving a B.A. degree in Secondary Education and MA in Educational Administration and Supervision. In 1959, Sam was hired as a History teacher and Track and State Championship Cross Country coach at Holy Trinity High School in Westfield, NJ. He later taught history and coached track at Morris Hills Regional School District in Rockaway, NJ. When the District opened a second high school in 1964, he was appointed Director of Guidance at Morris Knolls High School and in 1968, he was promoted to Vice Principal. In February, 1969, Parsippany Troy Hills School District hired Sam as Principal at Brooklawn Junior High School. He remained there until 1981 when he was promoted to Principal of Parsippany Senior High School, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1984. He came out of retirement to serve as an Educational Management Consultant and Trainer for the New Jersey State Department of Education, followed by a five year term as Principal of St. Rose of Lima Academy in East Hanover, NJ. While most of his career had been spent in the educational field, Sam also served actively in community affairs as evidence by his many years as a councilman in Denville, NJ and as a Trustee of the Denville Public Library. Sam had been an active parishioner and lector at St. Mary’s Church, Denville and was most recently a parishioner of the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Siena, Allentown, PA. In 1980, he received “Life Member” status from the New Jersey Council of P.T.A.’s, the Denville Community Service Award in 1984, and was selected the Denville Republican Committee’s “Man of the Year” in 1985. The Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders appointed Sam in 1991 to the County College of Morris Trustee Board where he served for 8 years including 2 years as Chairman of the Board. Sam is lovingly remembered by his wife of 51 years, Mary (McNichol) Parkinson, his five daughters Susan Witmer(Patrick) of Allentown, PA, Donna Savitt (Sam) of Randolph, NJ, Sarah Hartke (David) of Havertown, PA, Katie Swiatek (Kevin of Louisville, KY, Julie McCafferty (John) of Rydal, PA, and 12 beloved grandchildren, Joe, Ryan, and Christina Witmer, Jacob Savitt, Cassidy, Nolan and Max Hartke, Kayla and Taylor Swiatek, and Isabelle, Ava, and Fin McCafferty as well as numerous Nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived by his brothers, John Parkinson of Lakewood, OH, and Robert Parkinson of Susquehanna, PA. He is preceded in death by his sister, Mary E. Parkinson and his brother, Edward Parkinson. Samuel’s funeral will be conducted from Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Ave., Denville, NJ, www.normandean.com, (to read full obituary and to light a candle please do so at web site), on Saturday June 11th at 9:30am for a 10:30am Mass of Christian Burial services at St. Mary’s Church, Denville, NJ, interment and committal service at Denville Cemetery. Relatives and friends will be received at the funeral home on Friday June 10th from 5-9PM. In lieu of flowers, please extend your generosity to the Center for Teaching Excellence Scholarship Fund at the County College of Morris , 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ 07869-2086.