The Reverend Canon Thomas Taylor Parke (July 27, 1939 March 5, 2012) Saratoga Springs, NY The Reverend Canon Thomas Taylor Parke, Rector of Bethesda Episcopal Church for 44 years and beloved husband of Allison (Vassallo) Parke, died peacefully at home on Monday, March 5, 2012, after battling pancreatic cancer. Born on July 27, 1939 in Cooperstown, NY, Father Parke completed his bachelor of science from Syracuse University, and his bachelor of sacred theology from the General Theological Seminary in NYC. He was ordained to the diaconate on May 25, 1964 at the Cathedral of All Saints, Albany and ordained a priest at St. Georges Church, Schenectady on December 21, 1964. Father Parke served with Father Kirby at St. Georges Church for 2 years before taking his post as Rector of Bethesda Episcopal Church, Saratoga Springs, NY in January 1968. He was also the Diocesan Secretary for the Albany Diocese in the 1980s. Fr. Parke is the son of the late Reverend Nelson F. Parke, former rector of St. Pauls Church, Albany, and is nephew of the late Very Reverend Cuthbert Simpson, dean of Christ Church College, Oxford, England. In the community, Father Parke served on the board of the YMCA, was a member and then chair of the Saratoga Springs Youth Commission, helping to build Saratogas ice rink on High Rock Ave. After a drug related suicide of one of his parishioners, Father Parke held a drug symposium with area religious leaders, to bring Saratogas drug problem to the forefront. Through this effort came the birth of the Bethesda Hurricanes, a drum and bugle corps designed to invest in local youth. When the Presbyterian Church on Broadway burned down, Father Parke immediately offered Bethesdas Sanctuary for their services. The congregation worshipped at Bethesda until their Church was built in its current location. The same generosity was shown to the Baptist church when it went through its restoration project, now known as Universal Preservation Hall. Father Parke was the Chaplin of Skidmore College and the Home of the Good Shepherd, as well as an integral part of Saratogas interfaith community. Bethesda Church has undergone several restoration projects during Father Parkes ministry. Along with general restoration of all three of its buildings, he oversaw the building of the C.V. Whitney disabled access to the church, the restoration of the Putnam Bell Tower, the George and Laura Pierce Memorial organ, and the second Mabee Family interior restoration project. Father Parke was a priest who didnt mind getting his hands dirty. Weekly, you could find him mowing the lawns, clearing the snow, and changing the light bulbs in the upper echelons of the church. No task was too daunting for this man of God. Father Parke was the beloved Chaplin at the New York State Capital District Developmental Services Office for 44 years. During this time, he gave loving and faithful companionship to individuals with developmental disabilities. Father Tom, as he was lovingly know as, began his state career in October of 1968 at Wilton Developmental Center, located on the mountain. In these early years, he led large church services in the gym for all denominations. The music and singing could be heard all the way down the mountain. During the 1980s, at the new Wilton Developmental Center on Ballard Road, you would find Father Tom in Central Square surrounded by groups of people. One of Father Toms many attributes was to always see the best in all people. He was part counselor, friend, a great listener and he had the gift of gab. During and after the closing of Wilton Developmental Center to become the community based Capital District Developmental Disabilities Office, Father Tom logged many miles helping staff and individuals in nine counties deal with the transition to their new smaller homes and the loss of friends they had lived with for many years. He worked closely with local churches to try and connect individuals who wished to continue to attend church in their new communities. Over the years, Father Tom has participated in hundreds of memorials and burial services. He performed each one with the dignity, respect and the personal touch they deserve. Staff and families always knew they could call on him. Being the Rector of Bethesda for 44 years, Father Parke baptized, married and buried generations of Saratogians. Regardless what walk of life one came from, Father Parke considered all equally welcome in his flock, treating each with the same love and compassion. During his 44 years, he baptized 1026 into the church, married 394 couples, and buried 814 people. It is through this administration of sacraments, that Father Parke spread the goodness of Gods word to many beyond the walls of Bethesda. Beloved by his parishioners, staff and community, Father Parke was most beloved by his family. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved nature and working the land. He enjoyed ham radio, Lionel trains and working on his home in Nova Scotia, Canada, where his mother, Emily Taylor, was born, but most of all, he enjoyed tending to his flock. Father Parke is survived by his wife Allison (Vassallo); her daughter Kassandra Frua de Angeli of Milan, Italy; his mother-in-law, Mickey M. Vassallo; his children from his first marriage to Barbara (Fisher), Jonathan Parke (Tracy) of Saratoga Springs, Emily Crawford (Daniel) of Greenwich, NY; his grandchildren, Jackson Taylor Crawford and Penelope Anne Crawford of Greenwich, NY and Campbell cousins in Nova Scotia, Canada. A vigil will be held at Bethesda Episcopal Church at the corner of Broadway and Washington Street in Saratoga Springs, NY starting from 5 8 pm, Friday, March 9, 2012 for family and friends to pay respects to Fr. Parke and his family. A Solemn Requiem Eucharist will be held the following morning at 10am at Bethesda Episcopal Church. Monetary donations can be made to the Thomas T. Parke Memorial Music Fund, c/o Bethesda Church, 41 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373). Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.