Remembering the victims of COVID-19: Paul Parkes

By News staff

CityNews is remembering the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic through memories shared by their loved ones.

Even during his retirement years, nature lover Paul Parkes was always up first thing in the morning.

After reading some favourite passages from the bible, he would get dressed for his day outdoors.

If the weather cooperated, Paul would be decked out in Bermuda shorts and a white t-shirt. He would slip on a pair of socks, black or dark blue, pulling them high up on his shins. He’d slide a pair of dark coloured sneakers on to his feet and top the look off with his signature beige Tilley hat.

He was all set for his gardening safari at his Oshawa, Ontario home.

Paul, always the green thumb, built an immaculate garden in his backyard spending hours growing red roses and dahlias, and his personal favourite, yellow and orange marigolds were everywhere.

Inspired by his grandfather’s gardening skills, Paul also grew numerous vegetables, including chives, squash, and zucchini. But it was all about the whooper tomatoes for Paul.

And often, as Paul’s day would wind down, after collecting the fruits of his labour, he’d be in his kitchen cooking up his famous chili con carne. A true feast after a day and a life well spent.

Parkes was 86 years old when he passed away from COVID-19.

If you would like to your loved one to be memorialized, please contact us.

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