David John Parfitt Jr.
July 21, 2004
David John Parfitt Jr., 79, a resident of Scranton since 1952, died early Wednesday morning at Moses Taylor Hospital after a lengthy illness. He and his wife, the former EllaJay O'Brien, would have celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary Nov. 8.
Born and raised in Taylor, son of the late David John Sr. and Lena Moore Parfitt, he was a 1942 graduate of Taylor High School and a member of the Myrtle Street United Methodist Church. He retired from the city of Scranton Fire Department after 25 years of service as a lieutenant with Engine No. 15 . He was previously employed by Maxson Defense Plant, Old Forge.
An Army veteran of World War II, he was a member of the American Legion Maj. Edward J. Poch Post 948 and the Disabled American Veterans W.C. Malia Chapter 1, and past commander of the China Burma India Veterans Association of Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. He was presented with a pair of flight engineer wings of the Chinese air force by Chen Hsing-Ling, general of ROCAF, in recognition of outstanding personal and professional achievements in military aviation. He was a member of the Burma Star Association of England, the Hump Pilots Association and the 2nd Air Commandos, 317th Fighter Group.
He was a lifetime member of the Taylor Hose Company No. 1, and a member of the Retired Fireman's Association of Scranton. He was a bugler with the Scranton Fire Department's Drum And Bugle Corps and also for the Scranton Police Department.
Also surviving are a son, David John III, Scranton; a daughter, EllaJay Parfitt, Abingdon, Md.; a sister, Dolores Jean Kolosky, Taylor; two nephews, two great-nieces, a great-nephew and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Helen A. Evans.
The funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Miller Bean Funeral Home Inc., 436 Cedar Ave., with services by the Rev. Arthur W. Davis, retired pastor with the United Methodist ministry. Interment, Abington Hills Cemetery, South Abington Township.
Friends may call Friday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Keystone College Art Department, 1 College Green, LaPlume, 18440-1099; or the Lackawanna Branch, Pennsylvania Association for the Blind, 228 Adams Ave., Scranton, 18503.