Obituary for Denis Michael Parker at Caul's Funeral Home (2024)

Passed peacefully on February 11th, 2024, predeceased by his parents Sylvia Naomi Parker and Walter Henry Parker, as well as grandson Levi Matteo Parker Charles.

He leaves to mourn his loving and devoted daughter Sarah Parker Charles, son in law Jeremy Charles, cherished grandchildren Hank and Iris Parker Charles, longtime friend and former spouse Christina Parker (Ian Jordaan), as well as extended family members who loved him dearly.

Denis leaves to mourn close musical family members who were like siblings; John Clarke, Gaston Gagnon, John Hutton, Roger Howse, Steve Hussey, Sandy Morris, Tony Murray, and Glenn Tilley.

Denis leaves to mourn his mates from London who were like brothers; Colin Jennings, Bill Maund, Gary Compton, and Rick Wright.

Also mentioned with special thanks are former bandmates he jammed with and fed the fire in his belly; Ikabod Krane, Garrison Hill, Pinnacle, Icebery Alley, Denis Parker Band, Public Hearing Afoot, Parker Goudie Band, Rowdy Blues, Jug Habit, Denis Parker & The Modern Saints.

Denis Parker grew up in London, England during the British music explosion of the 60’s with stories of going to see The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Moody Blues, Bob Dylan, and the list goes on. He loved to share these stories of growing up around these musical icons and how much it inspired his love for music. Denis lived in Fulham with his parents in a London council flat. He would sneak a crystal radio into his room at night, tune into the BBC and listen to Memphis Slim play the blues. Denis started playing guitar when he was 16 years old and bought his first guitar a second-hand electric Hofner for 26 pounds. In the late 60’s, at 22 years old Denis recorded two albums at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios with Panama Limited Jug Band with bandmates Brian Strachan, Gary Compton, Ron Needs, Liz Hanns. The Harvest Record label would later release the first album in 1969. Denis would often tell the story of arriving for an afternoon recording session at Abbey Road Studios and Paul McCartney was still in the control booth finishing a mix. The following year, Denis met a few musicians from Newfoundland who were in London looking to gig, they started jamming and the boys invited him back to Newfoundland to start at band. Denis came to Newfoundland in 1971 “for the weekend”, which he loved to joke about and tell anyone he met for the first time, especially any of the staff at Eastern Health who would meet him on his regular hospital visits. Soon after crossing the pond, Denis formed the band Mantis with Neil Bishop, Al Smith and Peter Huish. Spending a lot of time in Gander and Grand Falls. This was the start of a beautiful love affair with the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. A few years later, Denis and his former spouse Christina Parker had travelled to Quebec, where Denis played with Contrebande, connecting with bandmate Gaston Gagnon, who would later come back to Newfoundland to perform. From there, Denis and Christina moved to Stephenville where Denis recorded the TNT album at Clode Sound Studios and where their daughter Sarah was born in 1977. The band TNT consisted of Neil Bishop, Claude Caines, Teddy McNeil, Elaine Kilpatrick and Brian Murphy. Through the 80’s and 90’s, Denis continued to fulfill many other musical partnerships, even right up to the days before his passing.

Newfoundland was home, and while Denis made trips back to London to see him mum Sylvia, he was rooted in St. John’s. The relationships Denis formed and fostered over the 53 years of living here have made a significant impact on the local culture and music industry in this province, including his time spent at Music NL. Denis served 18 years as Executive Director for the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland & Labrador. This position brought him joy and the ability to give back. He loved acting as a mentor to younger musicians and celebrating NL music abroad.

Denis has a brilliant sharp mind, loved storytelling and making people laugh. Despite his medical setbacks, he was always writing, playing and recording music. It brought him energy and kept him alive. He was even getting ready to record what he called his “last album” in March with Krisjan Leslie. Thank you Krisjan for recording with Denis, an everlasting gift we will carry on through the generations. Thank you to Tony Ploughman and the Freds Family for your friendship and for supporting his career over the years.

On behalf of Denis and his family, we would like to send a heartfelt thank you to all family and friends who contributed to his beautiful journey of life. We are forever grateful. With a special thanks to all the staff at Eastern Health who never gave up on him and always treated him with the utmost respect and dignity; Dr. Paul Heneghan, and the staff at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital, Dr. Andrew Hutton, Dr. Anne Williams, Dr. Bruce Sussex, Angela, and Rody at the Heart Failure Clinic, Dr. J Farrell, nurse Jennifer Carroll and her colleagues at Community Health, Pharmacist Robert Doyle, and Mary Crotty.

Denis, we’ll raise a glass, play a game of chess, play a tune, and watch a Fulham game in your honour.

A celebration of life will take place in the coming weeks, details to follow.

In lieu of a donation, get out and support local music through the purchase of an album or supporting a live show.

For more details on Denis’s career.

www.denisparker.com

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