Harold Henry Parquet, 96, of Hill City, formerly of Woonsocket, passed away Thursday, June 15, 2017, at Custer Regional Senior Care.
Visitation for Harold will be at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Hill City, on Thursday, June 22, from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Friday, June 23, at 10 a.m., with a luncheon to follow. Committal will be at St. Wilfrid Cemetery, Woonsocket, at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, June 24. Military honors will be given by Woonsocket American Legion Post 29.
Friends may sign the online guestbook and leave comments on the Kirk Funeral Home website.
Harold was born Oct. 22, 1920, in Letcher, to Peter L. and Mary (Steichen) Parquet. He graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1938 and began working for the CMStP&P Railroad. Harold’s career with CMStP&P Railroad spanned from 1938-1980.
World War II saw Harold enlist in the U.S. Navy and actively serve from 1942-1946 as a Chief Machinist Mate Acting Appointment Temporary. After his honorable discharge, Harold returned to marry Hazel Elnora Hubbart, the love of his life, whom he met on a blind date. They were married on June 3, 1947, and to this union were born Lois, Betty, Mary, Tom and Chuck.
Both Harold and Hazel met many cherished friends through square dancing and camper dancing. He was a lifetime member of the Brotherhood Maintenance of Ways, American Legion, and Catholic Knights of Columbus. He also belonged to RSVP and Hill City Senior Center.
Harold enjoyed hunting, fishing, square dancing, playing cards, working crossword puzzles, reading Western books, being a retired Arizona snowbird for 25 years, and telling the best jokes and riddles. He was always in the midst of pulling a good prank! Other hobbies included working at a watermelon stand for the fall harvest and volunteering at the Hill City Senior Center Sturgis Bike Rally Breakfast.
He is survived by two sisters, Marjorie Waits and Bernice Schuster; and his children: Betty (Tim) Weber, Mary (Dave) Larson, Tom Parquet, and Chuck Parquet; son-in-law, Les Hellevang; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel, on March 19, 2017; his parents; three brothers; two brothers-in-law; his daughter, Lois; and daughter-in-law, Mary (Collins) Parquet.
A memorial has been established.