1926 – 2015

LEWISTON — Alden W. Parker, 88, of Lewiston, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, surrounded by his family and after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.

He was born in Lewiston on May 25, 1926, the son of the late Kenneth L. Parker and Cora (Waterman) Parker and the stepson of the late Marguerite (Fogg) Parker.

Alden was truly respresentative of the Greatest Generation, having proudly and honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy, joining at the height of World War II in July 1943. He served on one of the many merchant ships that transported supplies between English ports and the beaches of Normandy.

At the end of the war, he returned home and married the love of his life, Gloria, on July 31, 1948.

In his early years, Alden worked as tractor-trailer driver for B&E Motor Express in Auburn. The family lived in the Lewiston/Auburn area for many years.

In the early 1970s, Alden took a position with Graf Brothers Transportation which moved the family to Owls Head. It was there that he discovered his other love: lobstering. Alden found great joy in sharing his catch with family and friends every summer at his annual lobster feed.

Alden and Gloria moved to Spruce Head in the early 1980s, and Alden continued lobstering with his dear friend, Bill Colby. In 2006, they moved back to Lewiston to be closer to family.

Throughout his life, Alden loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, his many trips to the Allagash and island picnics. He took great pride in his home, and you could always find him working on his many projects in the yard. Alden always enjoyed a good card game and reading, particularly World War II history books and biographies.

Alden was proud of his memberships with the VFW, the NRA, the Elks and his lifelong membership with the Republican party.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Gloria (Nuzzo) Parker; his three children, Daniel Parker and his wife, Diana, of Mechanic Falls, Jill Chenard of Greene, and Kimberly and her husband, Dr. Mark Diamond, of Portland; he is also survived by six grandchildren and three great-grandchilden, Greg Chenard of Greene, Lynn (Chenard) Kazakis, her husband, Nick, and their sons, Kale and Kaiden of Ft. Mill, S.C., Hillary Parker of West Grove, Pa., Ammie (Parker) Rector, her husband, Landon, and their daughter, Brynn of Juneau, Alaska, Patrick Diamond of Baltimore, Md., and Isabella Diamond of Portland. He is also survived by his sister, Ruby Thompson of Lewiston.

The family wishes to acknowledge the staff at St. Mary’s d’Youville Pavillion (4 West) and Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for their loving care and compassion during his difficult journey.

Condolences may be expressed at funeralalternatives.net