It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of RJ Parsons, who departed this life on Sunday, August 3, 2025. He was surrounded by dear family members and friends in the place he loved the most, Almond Boat Park, North Carolina.

Born in Upper Darby Pennsylvania on August 29, 1942, RJ is preceded in death by his father, Ralph, and mother, Mary. He is survived by his beloved wife, Phyllis, his sons and daughters-in-law, Rob & Kathy, Mike, and Matt & Sue, and six grandchildren who he simply adored, Jessica, Jennifer, Nate, Lily, Hannah, and Emily. He is also survived by his sister, Ritajane, sister- and brothers-in-law, Sue & Rodney and Hank, and five nieces and nephews, Kent, Greg, Graham, Julia, and James.

RJ enjoyed a distinguished career in the US Air Force, serving as a navigator on C-130s and a pilot on C-141s before being honorably discharged with the rank of Captain in 1974. After his military service, RJ spent the next 30 years at Xerox, where he steadily climbed the ranks to eventually become the Controller of all Canadian and Latin American Manufacturing Operations. His retired life was exciting and entertaining, spent with friends and family in Florida and at his house on Irondequoit Bay. Through it all he enjoyed his Philadelphia Phillies, fishing and the outdoors, and cooking delicious new recipes.

We fondly remember RJ’s generous spirit, his charm and his wit, and his seemingly endless reserve of stories, jokes, and trivia questions. He truly was larger than life, and all who met him were drawn into his circle and grew to love the warmth and joy he brought to every occasion.

A Celebration of RJ’s Life will be held at the Grand View Lodge in Powder Mills Park on August 31, 2025, at 2:00 pm. Please bring your fondest memories to share, to honor the laughter and smiles RJ would have wanted us all to remember him by. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his favorite charity, our local Salvation Army https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/empire/rochester/