David Jeffrey “Dave” Parks,

Aug 31, 2025

Note: “People We’ve Lost” is a feature of the Bar Harbor Story where we share obituaries of people that the island lost in the previous 1-2 weeks. We’re doing this because we think everyone deserves to be remembered as widely as possible. If you have an obituary for a loved one or friend that you can’t afford to place in other spaces, please let us know and we’ll share it here for you.

---

David Jeffrey “Dave” Parks

West Tremont and Vero Beach, FL.

David Jeffrey Parks, long time resident of West Tremont and until recently, part time resident of Vero Beach, FL, passed away on August 25, 2025, one day shy of his 82nd birthday.

Dave was born in Logan, Ohio, to Charles and Jean (Betts) Parks. He grew up in Royal Oak, MI. Upon the untimely death of his father, a high school counselor encouraged Dave to become a caddie at a local golf club. As a result, Dave graduated Dondero High School in 1961 having been awarded an Evans Scholars Foundation full scholarship to the University of Michigan. In 1966, Dave met his future wife, Carolyn Cromwell, while both were serving on the Student Council of the School of Business Administration. He graduated in 1967 with an MBA and joined the firm of Arthur Andersen & Co. in Detroit. Dave and Carolyn were married a year later in Chatham, NJ. Within months, Dave enlisted in the Officer Candidates School of the United States Marine Corps Reserve in Quantico, Va. He was honorably discharged as Captain in 1977.

Upon having returned to Detroit in 1969, Dave resumed his career with the Andersen Consulting Div. eventually to specialize in large mainframe computer systems consulting principally for the utility industry. He was promoted to Partner in 1977. In 1981, Dave was transferred to the New York office, and the Parks bought a home in Weston, CT where they lived for 18 years. As a senior partner Dave thoroughly enjoyed mentoring the young newer partners rising up through the firm.

Over the years, Dave developed many interests which though a quiet man he pursued with avid enthusiasm and amazing diligence. These included not only his fulfilling career but jogging, skiing, driving Porsches, fly fishing, golf, and the greatest of all, blue water sailing. Introduced to the sport in 1972, by the mid 90’s the Parks were building their ultimate sailboat with the intention to sail around the world upon Dave’s retirement in August 1999. While the fourth “TARA” was under her lengthy construction at Trenton Marine d/b/a Able Custom Yachts, the Parks fell in love with the area and bought their property on Dix Point.

In September 1999; the Parks left Maine through Western Way to spend the next six years sailing first in the Caribbean Sea, through the Panama Canal, Galapagos, to many South Pacific Islands, and eventually to New Zealand and Australia. Carolyn nixed the “around the world” part and they returned to their “Fox Ledge” in West Tremont in 2005.

Dave was a gentleman in the true sense, a loving supportive husband, a devoted brother, uncle, and brother-in-law, and a kind and loyal friend. He served on the boards of the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club and Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club (CT). Dave also held committee chair positions at the Causeway Club and Bass Harbor Yacht Club.

He is survived by Carolyn, partner and first mate of 57 years; sister Sarah Parks (William Troxler) of New Orleans, LA; sisters-in-law, Christine Cromwell-Ahrens (Christopher) of Etchingham, England, and Cathryn Hoag of Leesburg, VA; and nieces Meghan Parks (James) of Huntsville, AL, and Jessie Troxler of Golden CO. He was predeceased by his sister, Laura Parks of Union Grove, AL.

The family is very grateful for the compassionate care given to Dave at Birch Bay Village and from Beacon Hospice.

There will be no funeral service; a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Those who desire may make contributions in Dave’s memory to the Southwest/Tremont Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 437, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679; Evans Scholars Foundation, 2501 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, IL 60026-8022; or a favorite charity.

Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com

---