Donald Parson

Reverend Donald J. Parson, 74, of Oakland went to be with his Lord on Friday, April 25, 2014 at his home, the rectory of St. Peter the Apostle Church in Oakland. Born on October 12, 1939 in St. Mary's, PA, he was the son of the late Harvey Emerson and Josephine Irene (Sosmiski) Parson. Prior to entering the priesthood, Father Parson had served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, worked for a management consulting firm in Pittsburgh, PA and had been a former member of the Order of the Clowns. He had also been a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years. He was ordained into the priesthood in 1990 and had served St. John the Evangelist in Columbia, St. Ursula in Parkville, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Essex and Church of the Resurrection in Ellicott City prior to coming to Oakland in 1999. In addition to serving as pastor of St. Peter the Apostle in Oakland, Father Parson played a key role in the construction of St. Peter at the Lake Center. He is survived by two brothers, Robert H. Parson and wife Kathleen of Atlantic Highlands, NJ and Richard A. Parson of St. Mary's, PA; one sister, Nancy J. Holowecky of Phillipsburg, PA; nieces and nephews, Laura Harbin, William Parson, Allen Holowecky and Christine Bowen; an aunt, Mary Ann Parson of St. Mary's, PA; and a number of great nieces, great nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Arthur Parson and a brother in law, Gene Holowecky. The body of Father Parson will be received at St. Peter the Apostle Church, 208 S. Fourth St., Oakland on Tuesday, April 29th at 3 PM with a viewing to follow from 3:15 to 8 PM. A wake service will be held at 7:30 PM with Bishop Mitchell Rozanski presiding. Additional viewing will be on Wednesday, April 30th from 11 AM to 12:45 PM in St. Peter at the Lake where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Archbishop William E. Lori at 1 PM. Interment will be in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, St. Mary's, PA on Thursday, May 1st at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, Father Parson desired that memorial donations be made to St. Peter the Apostle Church. The Burdock-Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A., Oakland has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Service Information