March 11, 2019

Norman L. Cross, 87, of Chadds Ford, dearly-loved husband, step-dad, pop-pop and friend, died Wednesday, Feb. 27.

Never a fan of obituaries that painted the departed person as “more than,” Norm’s list of accomplishments in life, though many, will not be recounted here. Instead, his life is summarized in two words, “he cared.” He cared about all the people in the plants he managed for DuPont, endearing all to him, “Norm Cross, the Legend.”

He cared for folks when he was in human resources in Wilmington – his door always open, trusted to look out for employees’ best interests. He cared about people by opening his doors to those down on their luck, or friends needing a place to stay between homes, on furlough from the mission field, even an Indian man who came to wash windows who was living out of his car. He cared about little kids of single parents in our back yard picnics by functioning as the Pied Piper in a large red clown wig. The door to his home was as wide open as his heart was. He cared deeply for his wife, Aleta, and daughters, Lauren and Lindsey, demonstrated most recently by his brown book of instructions upon his demise, smoothing the way for our sad goodbyes. He was truly one of the saints who made it easier for others to believe in God.

In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Norm’s legacy of care, contributions to Covenant Mercies, 1 Fellowship Drive, Glen Mills, PA 19342 are appreciated. His memorial service will be private.

“One day some of you will hear that I am dead. Do not believe it. I will then be alive as never before.” (Dwight Moody, evangelist)

For online condolences, please visit Chandlerfuneralhome.com

 

William Brinton Parker Jr., 89, of Kennett Square, died peacefully on Feb. 26. Mr. Parker is survived by his wife Barbara “Bobbie” Collins.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late William Brinton Parker Sr. and Naomi Cecelia Lodge. Mr. Parker graduated from Westtown School in West Chester and received a degree as an electronic engineer from Penn State. He founded Applied Controls in 1969 which he ran for 21 years before retiring in 1990.

He is survived by his five children, Dorothy “Dee” Parker of Chadds Ford, Wayne Parker of Wallingford, Carol Stein (Andrew) of Springfield, Joan “Joanie” Hadik (John) of West Chester, and Sandra “Sandy” Bieri (Andreas) of Sanibel, Fla. He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Megan Stein, Naomi Stein, Rebecca Peleg (Asaf), Aaron Stein, Emily Hadik, and Noah Hadik, and two great-grandchildren, Eliana and Toren. Mr. Parker is also survived by his sisters, Ruth Geen and Mary “Mimi” Steelman, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Joseph Parker and Richard Parker. Mr. Parker is also preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Lois Gibbons.

Among Mr. Parker’s passions were playing tennis, genealogy, Chester County history, and clocks. Mr. Parker was a trustee for the Chester Country Historical Society and donated countless hours of his time working there. He served as president of several property owners’ associations in both Pennsylvania and Florida. Mr. Parker was a trustee for Parkersville Meeting House in Parkersville and worked at maintaining and preserving the property and the meeting house. He was an avid collector of clocks and watches and spent many hours restoring them.

He was a former president of the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. He also volunteered as a technology tutor at a local library in Florida.

During the last year of his life, Mr. Parker published a book entitled “Parkersville: A Tiny But Busy Little Village In Chester County, Pennsylvania.” As he described it, “A love for genealogy and Parkersville have kept me busy over the past 30 years, we’ve compiled these people, stories, photos, spreadsheets and databases to share this compact history with you.”

A Quaker-style memorial service will be held on March 16, at 2 p.m. at Kendal at Longwood, in the auditorium. Private interment will be at the Parkersville Meeting House cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mr. Parker’s name can be made to Parkersville Meeting House at www.gofundme.com/william-parker-jr-memorial-fund