Obituary of George Parkes

GEORGE OSMOND PARKES On the 3rd day of October, 1941, a bouncing baby boy was born to the young petite, brown-skinned buxom beauty,  Estelle Josephine Julia Parkes and Jimmy Evans in Coleyville, Manchester, Jamaica, West Indies.  He was named, George Osmond Parkes but was known to most people as Osmond.  Osmond had his early education at Bryce Elementary School, (now Bryce Primary), where he proved to be an avid and keen learner.  He was quite the adventurous, mischievous, daring & challenging student and young man with his friends —James brothers (Horace & Henley), Williams brothers, Chung brothers (Carlos and Sammy), his cousin Vincent, his brother, Headley, and of course his sidekick and shadow-Vernon Swasey were the ultimate, marauding, school-skipping/ducking juveniles to engage in everything else but academics!!  Perfect Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn from Mark Twain’s adventures. As a young aspiring & ambitious young man leaving school , he decided or it was decided for him to get a career or seek employment.  George enlisted in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) on May 18, 1961 until June 14, 1969 where he served with distinction, aplomb, flair, commitment, dedication and  versatility as OG/Jim Parkes/Sharp.  He resigned his position and migrated to the United States of America where he resided for fifty years.  George served in several capacities at United Parcel Service (UPS) from August 31, 1970 until he retired on October 31, 1996.  He was “Mr. UPS”, the ultimate career professional who embodied the essence of the Delivery Service.  He was the consummate Poster Man symbolizing the best of the Company. He loved life, and living life seemed so easy and natural to him as it was in his DNA to live and live well.  He worked hard and when he played, he played hard and enjoyed doing so.  Typical “James” man that he was, he was married twice although at the time of death, his status was divorced. George will be remembered for his ability and willingness to assist family, friends, foes, acquaintances, and strangers unselfishly.  Life was a celebration and he enjoyed hosting parties and gatherings as well as attending them as a guest.  Always with a ready smile, impish grin and quizzical look, his warmth, love, and understanding smirk invited one to make any request, however preposterous, knowing that if it is humanely possible, he was going to marshall all available resources in his wide and comprehensive network to fulfill the request.  As busy and preoccupied as he was want to or pretended to be, especially since his retirement, he was often a shoulder on which to cry, a listening ear, a friend and confidante in time of need.  When despair, one could count on George/OG/Osmond/Sharp/Jim Parkes for encouragement and support as he stood confidently in the knowledge and faith in God believing that “God is in control and God oh God” and prayer changes any situation for the better. This does not imply any fatalistic, defeatist attitude as he also believed that one should do the best in every situation, be practical, sensible and proactive in all endeavors.  He was an avid Sportsman, real true West Indian Cricketer, Mets and Yankee baseball fan, New York Knicks basketball fan.  Khali Ghibran said in his writings in, “Death of the Master”, “His life on this earth was one long chain of constant thought, for he knew no rest except work.  He was a thirsty soul that could not rest except in the lap of wakefulness." This is a fitting description indeed of George Osmond Parkes.  He was a loving heart that overflowed with kindness and zeal.  Such was the life he led on earth and his reward was that God granted him his greatest wish, never to languish in pain, or to be a burden to anyone-now his river has reached the shores of Eternal Hope.  Let no intruder lament for George or shed tears at his departure.  He has fought a good fight.  Death did not conquer George, he conquered death.  Death, thou too shall die!!  Rest in Peace, George Osmond Parkes (OG/Sharp/Jim Parkes).  You will never be replaced! You will never be forgotten!!!

Parkes (OG/Sharp/Jim Parkes).  You will never be replaced! You will never be forgotten!!!

Visitation will be held Friday May 24, 2019 from 9 am to 11 am at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home 371 Hooker Ave. Poughkeepsie, New York 12603. Funeral Services will follow the Visitation at 11 am and Burial will be at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.

If you would like to leave an online condolence please visit our website at www.doylefuneralho