Obituary of Michael R. Parks

Olean- Michael R. "Mickey" Parks, Sr., of 2074 Hillcrest Ave, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday (February 20, 2013) at his home. Born October 14, 1950 in Olean, he was the son of Edgar and Phyllis Gayton Matta Parks, Jr. In 1974, he married Anne Gilroy, who survives. He was a 1968 graduate of Olean High School and received an Associates Degree from Jamestown Community College. He earned his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Organizational Management from Houghton College. Mr. Parks was first employed for 22 years at Columbia Gas, now NYSEG and then for Independent Health. He taught at Jamestown Community College and was the assistant and head basketball coach there for many years. Mr. Parks later retired from ESI in Wellsville where he was the the Vice President of Client Services. He was a member of the Olean Rotary Club, was on the board of directors for the Genesis House and the Cattaraugus County Council On Alcoholism & Substance Abuse. Mr. Parks was active in the Olean Community Theater and was an inspirational speaker for teenagers and young adults. He loved the Cleveland Browns, baking, golfing and making people laugh. Mr. Parks enjoyed coaching basketball, football and soccer. Together, he and his wife started the MP3 on 3 Basketball Tournament and Scholarship in memory of their son Michael Parks. In 2003, Mr. Parks won the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce Good News Award and in 2005 Mr. and Mrs. Parks received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial Award. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his mother of Olean, four daughters Kristan Parks of Olean, Bryonna Parks of Olean, Jocelyn Parks of Olean, Michelle (Vernon) Robinson of Olean; three sons Chad Siago of Olean, Joshua (Tina) Dean of Kenmore, Cody Davis of Florida; several foster children; six grandchildren Joshua, Aaliyah, Ajhani, Anayah, Gianna, and Judah; two sisters Jacquelyn (Jim) Engelhardt of Fairfax, VA, Jennifer (Harry) Wood of Forestville, MD; two brothers Gary (Cindy) Parks of Olean, Steven (Tammy) Parks of Olean; his father in law Dr. William (Trudy) Gilroy of Olean; mother in law Joyce Gilroy of Olean; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, a son Michael R. Parks, Jr. in 2000, and one sister Stephanie Gayton. Friends will be received at the Casey, Halwig and Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Road on Friday from 4-8pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday (February 23, 2013)at 1pm at St. Mary of the Angels Church. Dr. Van Gayton and Rev. Stephen Patrick will co-officiate. Burial will be in Allegany Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Kevin Guest House 782 Ellicott St., Buffalo NY, 14203, the Olean High School Booster Club or to Cattaraugus County Department of the Aging. On line condolences may be expressed at www.oleanfuneralhome.com