Obituary of Peter A. Parlo

In the early morning hours of November 4, 2018, Peter Anthony Parlo (Pete), obeyed the call of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and joined his beloved wife of 68 years, Gracie, in Heaven, while surrounded by his adoring family consisting of his 3 daughters, son-in-law and 4 of his grandchildren. He was 95 years old. Pete was born on June 2, 1923 in Elmira, NY to Louis and Mary Carrozza Parlo. He grew up in the Elmira area and attended Elmira Public Schools and began his work career as a caddy at the Elmira Country Club at the ripe old age of 15. June 2, 2018 marked his 95th Birthday, which was celebrated in Elmira, NY with nearly his entire family and many of his closest and dearest friends. Pete enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in July of 1942 during WWII. He was Honorably Discharged at the Rank of Staff Sergeant in September of 1945. He earned 2 Overseas Service Bars, Service Stripe and Good Conduct Medal. While in the Asiatic Pacific Theater he earned a Ribbon and 2 Bronze Battle Stars. He was part of the 500th Bomb Squadron called the Rough Raiders. He served in the South Pacific Arena – specifically in New Guinea and Australia. He was a Side Gunner and flew 50 missions in 363 hours. He logged 56,755 miles and dropped 153,200 bombs. In addition Pete shot down 3 Japanese Zero's. He flew in the A-20 Attack Bomber, B-25 Mitchell and the B-24 Liberator. Everyone enjoyed listening to Pete's "War Stories" and the Over-Seas antics of him and his young enlisted buddies! Pete was honored by his family as a "Hometown Hero" in his hometown of Elmira, NY and a banner honoring his service will be displayed this month. After his time in Service to his Country, Pete and Gracie lived, raised their daughters and worked in the Elmira Area for many years. Pete loved his career as an Accountant, and worked for Radio Stations all over New York, including WHAM in Rochester, WELM and WIQT in Elmira, WJTN in Jamestown and finally WYND in Sarasota Florida. Following that he worked several years with the Chemung County Social Services Department and retired from The US Government as a Loan Officer for the Small Business Administration in 1988. He traveled all over the country on Disaster Duty for FEMA in his Motor Home. He and Gracie spent several years traveling the country together after their retirement, especially between Horseheads, NY and Fort Myers Florida. They decided to settle permanently back in Horseheads, NY when the desire to be near family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren tugged at their hearts. Pete was the beloved husband of Grace Marie Carozza Parlo, whom he married on November 25, 1942 and whom he missed since her death on April 7, 2011. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend. His family was first and foremost in his life. Pete became a friend to everyone he met and was cherished by the friends of his daughters and their extended families. He was known to be very generous and possessed a wonderful sense of humor. At the Beta Sigma Phi International State Convention is Syracuse, NY, in September 2017, Pete was inducted as an Envoy Member of the organization by Laura Ross Wingfield, current President of the International Sorority based in Kansas City MO. He and Gracie were huge supporters, as all 3 of their daughters and a granddaughter belong. Pete especially enjoyed playing card games with his family when they all got together. He loved the game of golf and played all over the United States. He loved being near the water and spent many hours on Seneca and Chautauqua Lakes, at the ocean, lakes, ponds and streams, any body of water that would accommodate a floating device of any kind! Over the years he owned nearly every kind of boat, from kayaks to a 42 FT. Cabin Cruiser, including speed boats of every size, including a jet ski, which his grandchildren loved to ride on with him!! Pete is survived by many loved ones including his 3 daughters, MaryAnn Parlo of Elmira Heights, NY; Andrea & James Swartzman of Bemus Point, NY with whom he made is home with for nearly 10 years, and Tina & Joseph McGrane of Erin, NY. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Michelle Paradis Gilboy of Latham, NY; Joseph (Susan) Paradis of Cohoes, NY; Jennifer Vanstrom of Bemus Point, NY; Kristin Vanstrom of Jamestown, NY; Douglas (Nikki) Vanstrom of North Collins, NY; Lindsay Swartzman of Michigan; and Brian McGrane, Matthew McGrane and Shannon O'Loughlin all of Watkins Glen, NY. He considered himself truly blessed and was totally spoiled by his Great Grandchildren. Papa Pete loved and looked forward to their visits most of all. His legacy includes Julien Louis Melloni of Buffalo, NY; Kaitlyn Lucia Vanstrom and her fiancé Hunter Danser of Fredonia, NY; Ayden Wilson Danielson of Jamestown, NY; Jack Michael and Luke Anthony Paradis of Latham, NY; and Sophia Elizabeth, Delaney Grace, and Scarlett Jane Vanstrom (also known as Carly Jane, with whom he had a special relationship with, despite being born 90 years apart they considered themselves to be best friends) of North Collins, NY. Pete is further survived by his sisters-in-law Sue Carozza, Cynthia Parlo, Emily Sira and Judy Parlo; a brother-in-law George Farr; special nieces Linda Parlo Bronfman and Laurie Parlo Brown and nephew Mike (Crow) Carozza. Pete was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Frances (Franny) Waters and his brothers Fabien (Beno) Parlo and Louis (Butch) Parlo Jr. Family and Friends will be received on Saturday, November 10th from 1 - 3 pm in the Lind Funeral Home, located at 805 W. Third St. Jamestown, NY. A brief memorial service will begin at 3 pm. Pastor Clyde Mohl of Lakeside Bible Chapel will officiate. A Graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family at a later time, in the Bemus Point Cemetery. Following the service, a Dessert Reception will be held in honor of Petes "Sweet Tooth" at Lakeside Bible Chapel located at 98 Lakeside Dr. Bemus Point, NY. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, which was dear to Pete's heart, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517 or log on to www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to those who cared for Pete with love, respect, kindness and compassion during this time. They include Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care; VNA of Western NY; The staff in MICU and 8th Floor at UPMC Hamot in Erie. PA; special friend and neighbor Deacon Daniel J. Tyler and a special thank you to his Primary Physician, Dr. Donald Brautigam of Westfield Family Physicians, for taking such excellent care of Pete for nearly 10 years, displaying the Love of Jesus Christ! May Our God and Father in Heaven Bless You All! You are invited to leave words of condolence to Pete's family at www.lindfuneralhome.com.