Donald I. Parcells

Donald I. Parcells was born in White Bear Lake, MN to Agnes and Wesley Parcells on March 25, 1921. At age 12 he moved with his parents, older brother and sister back East to their family farm and creamery, Maple Terrace, in New Milford, CT. As a boy, Donald enjoyed helping out around their farm and was responsible for early morning milk deliveries.

He graduated from New Milford High School and went on to the University of Connecticut, but WWII interrupted his studies. Donald enlisted in the Air Force and fulfilled his boyhood dream and desire to become a pilot. He was stationed at Old Buckingham in England with the 8th air force, 702nd Bombardier Squadron, 445th bomb group.  Rising to the rank of 1st lieutenant, Donald flew B-24 Liberators in 25 missions to Germany. He was involved in the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of Remagen.

After the war, Donald safely returned home and completed his studies at UConn majoring in business. After graduating, he worked for American Airlines in New York City. Later he moved back to CT to work for Sikorsky in their instrument panel division. His career then took him to Connecticut Blue Cross where he found his niche in management.

In May of 1952, Donald met the love of his life, Margaret (Peggy) Nairn, on a blind date. They married six months later on November 1st. They enjoyed 61 happy, loving years together raising their 3 children, Alisa, Jacalyn and Donald, Jr. in Woodbridge. Peggy and Donald were active members of the First Congregational Church and Donald was also a member of the Republican Town Committee. He was an amazing gardener, and in all but the worst weather could be found outside building stone walls on his acreage or tending to his flower gardens where roses were his passion and his pride.

Donald always looked forward to his summer vacations where he would spend them with his family at their vacation home, a log cabin, on a lake in New Hampshire. He and his father did much of the finish work on it, and as time went by, he continued to make improvements with the help of his son, Donald, Jr. He loved sailing, waterskiing, fishing, and he was also a skier. Winter weekends and vacations were often spent on ski trips with his son. He loved it so much that he continued to ski well into his 80’s.

After 35 years, Donald retired from Connecticut Blue Cross and was then able to devote his time to traveling with his wife and playing golf. They enjoyed spending their summers in New Hampshire and winters in Florida or Georgia. Autumn was reserved for annual trips to Europe. When Peggy developed Alzheimer’s in 2006, their traveling came to a close. Donald lovingly devoted all of his time to caring for her in their home until her passing on January 7, 2013.

After Peggy’s death, he remained in their home in Woodbridge, tending to his garden and playing golf. With the love and dedication of his two health care assistants, Rebecca and Jennifer, and his children, he was able to continue to live happily at home.  Donald passed peacefully at age 99 on August 5th with the company and comfort of his children by his side.

He was a man of integrity, intelligence and courage. A devoted and loving husband and father, he could always be counted on to help with anything from homework to home repair. He believed that with perseverance and faith, anything was possible. Donald instilled these values in his children who remember him often saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” and, “If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well.” His legacy lives on in his children and all who knew and loved him.

Donald is survived by his daughters Alisa Parcells, Jacalyn (Michael Feldman) Parcells and his son Donald (Irene Parcells) Parcells, Jr., two granddaughters, Margot Simeone and Olivia Parcells, a niece and 4 nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret (Peggy), his parents, Agnes and Wesley Parcells, his brother Wesley Parcells, and his sister Ruth Foote.

Funeral services will be privately conducted. In lieu of flowers a contribution can be made in his memory to the Salvation Army https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Donald I. Parcells, please visit our Tree Store.