ROCHESTER — The funeral Mass for Eugene "Gene" Parkin will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Rochester, with Msgr. Gerald A. Mahon officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Mr. Parkin, 80, of Rochester, died Monday (Nov. 3, 2008) at Saint Marys Hospital, following a lengthy illness.
Born July 7, 1928, in Minneapolis, his parents were told by doctors that he would not live long due to his paraplegia. His family moved to Pine Island shortly after he was born, and he graduated from Pine Island High School. In 1960, the family moved to Rochester. He worked for the Ability Building Center and Olmsted County Social Services, and was an avid volunteer at Mayo Clinic, the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.
In 1963, Mr. Parkin wheeled his wheelchair from Pine Island to Rochester, 16 miles, to promote the National Paraplegic Foundation’s "Footlight Frolics Stage Show." He was also a member of Toastmasters.
He is survived by a brother, David (Teresa) of Minneapolis. Other survivors include numerous cousins ; two uncles, Arthur R. Parkin and Lloyd Parkin, both of Rochester; and special friend, Ginny Stauber of Rochester. He was preceded in death by two cousins, Edwin Parkin and Beverly Grafing.
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Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, and a half-hour before the service Friday at the church.
The family prefers memorials to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or the National Paraplegic Foundation.
Macken Funeral Home of Rochester is in charge of arrangements.
