David J. Parsh

For David Parsh, finding happiness in life was no difficult task; he found it every day in the moments spent with his wife, the smiles of his grandchildren, and the beauty of the world around him. An honest, generous man, David valued hard work, and was proud to provide for his family. A beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, David was a wonderful example to his children and grandchildren, and will be dearly missed. At the conclusion of 1941, when David's story begins, the world was a place of violence and chaos as the fierce battles of WWII were being fought. Having just endured the surprise attacks on Pearl Harbor, the United States was preparing to enter the war. Within a year, American boys would be fighting bravely in the Philippines, the Pacific and North Africa, and would be preparing for a full scale invasion of Europe. Folks back home were already busy supporting their troops by working in factories, rationing, and building victory gardens. It was an exciting time, full of great sorrows and moments of joy. But in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jack and Elizabeth (Kruskas) Parsh were distracted from the world around them as the focused instead on preparing their home for the arrival of a new little life. One winter day, on December 20, 1941, Jack and Elizabeth welcomed a new baby into the world, a son who they named David. David enjoyed a happy childhood, and loved growing up in Grand Rapids. While David's mother worked as a photography assistant, his father owned a Robb Machine, a tool and die shop, where Dave would work on weekends and after school. Being born so close to Christmas, David was never sure whether to truly look forward to his birthday or not. He soon discovered that whenever he got clothes on his birthday, he always had to wait until Christmas to wear them. And when he was young, he was always sick on his birthday. As a child, David developed a passion for hockey, and often played in parks and fields, using pieces of linoleum to protect his shins. He also enjoyed taking trips with his family, staying at roadside cabins, and going up north to watch the Mackinaw Bridge being built. David was a well behaved child, and enjoyed serving as an altar boy. Growing up, David attended Catholic schools, including St. Peter & Paul for kindergarten, St. James for elementary, and Grand Rapids Catholic Central for high school. After graduating in 1959, he decided to further his education, spending two years at Grand Rapids Junior College and two years at Ferris State. He completed the surveying and drafting program at Ferris in 1964. David was an honest man of integrity, and developed a great work ethic when he was still young. His first job was working on a paper route for the Grand Rapids Press, when he delivered to 100 customers. Later, in high school, he worked at Katerberg Lawn Sprinkling. After completing his schooling, he worked for William A. Pope Company, and helped them build the sewage treatment plant for the city of Wyoming, making $100 per week. He later worked as a civil engineer for the Physical Plant at Michigan State, Meade Brothers and Seaway & Georgetown Construction. David was the proud father of five children, Jaime, Jill, Geoff, Shawn, and Kurt. He and his family lived in several different areas, including Lansing, Eaton Rapids, and Grand Haven. David was a wonderful father, and taught his children the value of hard work and honesty. He enjoyed taking many vacations with them, mostly to visit family. They also enjoyed a trip to Chicago, and loved their vacation to Canada, when they stayed in a cabin on an island and fished. And on Sundays, his children enjoyed going to the mall after church and watching movies together. 1995 was a year that changed David,s life forever. That's when his daughter, Jill, introduced him to a woman named Linda Diane Murray. Within a short time, the two developed a special relationship, and on August 10, 2001, they were married. David and Linda were best friends, and loved their life together. They always said that "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all." David and Linda loved spending time with family and friends together, and spent many winters in Florida. After retiring, David enjoyed keeping busy doing freelance work and pursuing his other passions. He loved all outdoor activities, including golf, bike riding, and wave running. And of course, he loved all things hockey, and was passionate about both playing it and watching it. In addition, David belonged to the Grand Haven Zoning Board, and was part of several professional groups. With his generous spirit, his love for honesty, and his belief in hard work, David provided a wonderful example for his children and grandchildren. Finding great joy in the world around him, from time spent with family to playing hockey with his friends, David was truly blessed. A beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, he will be dearly missed. David died on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at Heartwood Lodge-Hospice House after a long, hard battle with cancer. David is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Jamie & Scott Tuma of Marquette, Jill Parsh of Grand Rapids, Shawn & Tracy Parsh of IL, Geoff & Dawn Parsh of IN, Kurt & Laura Parsh of Holton, Jim Kraus of Comstock Park, Rob & JoAnna Kraus of Grand Rapids; wonderful grandchildren, Dillon, Lizzie, Mellie, Mitchell, Nic, Claudia, Meighan, Emilie, Riley, Lindsey, Collin, Aiden; father, Jack Parsh; siblings, Jackie & Bob Ryan, Steve Parsh, Tom Parsh, Philip & Donna Parsh; many dear friends and the best hockey "Buds" a guy could have. He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2011, 4:00 PM, with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Chapel-Grand Haven. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of North Ottawa. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a memory or sign the online guest book.