John Parker Coates

John Parker Coates, 82 of Southbury Ct, passed away peacefully on Dec. 13, 2020 at Calvary Hospital.  He was born in Minneapolis, MN on September 3, 1938.  Always known as Parker, he was the only son of the late John Shek Coates and Evelyn Mary MacMicking.
 
He attended West High School lettering in football, ice hockey and tennis.  Here he met his long time sweetheart Sharon McFerran and they married in 1960.  After graduating  in 1962 from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Business, Parker accepted a job with Citibank in New York City . He and Sharon moved to Englewood New Jersey where they raised their children, Kathy and John. 
 
Parker was an entrepreneur in the business world- always enjoying new challenges.  Following his banking career he moved on to oil and gas exploration. In the 1980’s, Parker formed PS Designs with his wife, fulfilling a long- time passion for designing and building houses.
 
Always civic minded and interested in politics, Parker was encouraged by friends to run for Mayor of Englewood in 1989.  He won the 3rdward but lost the race.  He felt this was a great learning experience.   In 1994, Parker and Sharon moved to Redding Ct to be near their daughter and first grandchild. There he continued in politics taking an active role in the Redding Republican Town Committee and he was always there to assist Sharon with her various  non-profit and volunteer activities.
 
Parker was often referred to as a gentle gentleman.  He was a quiet man with a dry sense of humor and always good natured, helpful and generous.  He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and remained an athlete.  Parker played in a men’s ice hockey league until age 48 and continued to play doubles tennis until two years ago with local Redding friends. 
 
Parker is survived by his wife, Sharon, daughter Kathy Riccio (Fred) Redding, CT, son John (Lisa) St. Croix USVA, grandchildren: Matthew and Sammy Riccio and Hera and Hailey Coates and many extended and beloved relatives in Minnesota
 
A memorial service will be planned in May.  In lieu of flowers please consider donating to New Pond Farm Education Center, Redding CT, Regional Hospice of Western Ct, Danbury Ct or Calvary Hospital Bronx NY. 

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