Death of Achill-based composer-pianist and music lecturer
THE death has taken place of Brent Parker, Achill Island, and formerly of Bray, Co. Wicklow, and Christchurch, New Zealand. He was in his 85th year.
A composer-pianist, former lecturer in Pianoforte at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, Dublin, and teacher at the Mayo School of Music, Castlebar, Brent was husband of Sheila Sullivan and stepfather of her son, Conor Lane.
He will be sadly missed by six children from his first marriage and their families: Christine Fitzpatrick (Bray, Co. Wicklow), her husband, Joseph, and their sons Anthony Jason, Brian and Conor; Maria Parker (Minane Bridge, Co. Cork), her husband, Dave Grey, and their sons Josh, Aaron and Ben; Anthony Parker (Sydney, Australia), his daughter Savannah and son Luke; Jonathan Parker (Vitoria, Spain), his sons Zechariah, Reuben, Josiah, Elijah (deceased) and daughter Lea, and Jonathan’s granddaughters Blair and Harriet; Lorraine Parker (Minane Bridge, Co. Cork), her sons, Jordan and Oscar, and daughter Ellie; and Graham Parker (Millstone, New Jersey, USA), his wife, Meghan, and their daughters Reese, Fallon and Sloane.
Brent is survived by two sisters, Rhonda Gola (Auckland, New Zealand) and Jocelyn Westrupp (Nelson, New Zealand), Jocelyn’s husband, Fred, and their extended families.
He was predeceased by Rhonda’s husband, Albino, by his brother, John Graham Parker, and by John’s wife, Marge (Auckland).
He will be mourned by his many former students and colleagues, friends, neighbours and musicians who played his symphony, two piano concertos, orchestral and choral works, and pieces for classical guitar, strings and piano in Ireland, England, France, Spain, Greece, China, Russia, the United States and New Zealand.
Reposing on Friday, January 12, at Conneely’s Funeral Home, Flood Street, Galway, from 4pm to 7pm. Removal from the funeral home at 11.30am on Saturday, January 13, to St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, Lombard Street, Galway, arriving for his funeral service at 12 noon. Cremation service at 5pm in Shannon Crematorium.
May his gentle soul rest in peace.