Patrick Parks

Patrick Daryl Parks, born September 7,1949 passed away at home after an extended illness on April 7, 2019. He left this life with his wife and longtime friend, Joyce Ann Wheatley, beside him. Patrick was born in Maryland and was raised in and around Memphis,Tennessee by his mother Irene Kay (née Woolf) and father Robert Quinn Parks. He was the fourth child in what would eventually become a family of six children. He spent many years of his early adult life in Memphis working in various jobs and developing his passions for art, theatre and wood. He studied art and theater at the University of Memphis and also studied art at Elmira College in the mid-1970’s. Patrick moved to Ithaca in 1996 where he further explored and deepened his love of life and creative pursuits. Patrick doted on his cocker spaniels, Rumi and Star, and enjoyed reading, cooking, oil painting, working and gardening outdoors, as well as bicycling. He was proud to have cycled around Cayuga Lake several times. Solidly independent, his job driving taxi for Ithaca Dispatch provided opportunities for regular contact with local residents, students and visitors with whom he frequently engaged in lively conversations. He shared with others his interest in “true magic”— Buddhism and simple everyday wisdom. He married his good friend and love of his life, Joyce Ann, in 2012 after getting to know each other over 14 years. Patrick enjoyed a life without recreational drugs or alcohol for 22 years and helped many rediscover themselves and their own unique gifts. He is survived by his wife Joyce Ann Wheatley of Ithaca; brothers, Bob (Ithaca, NY), Doug (Las Vegas, NV), Timothy (St. Petersburg, FL), Peter (Topeka, KS) and sister Pamela (deceased); daughters Rebekah Parks and Anna (née Parks) Cardona and son Christopher; beloved stepdaughters Sydney (née Friedlander) LePage and Holley Friedlander, and several grandchildren. Until the end, Patrick was strong, courageous and engaged.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Tompkins County Public Library, Hospicare of Ithaca or Ithaca Recovery Center. All are welcome to share recollections of Patrick with his family during calling hours at Bangs Funeral Home on Friday, April 12 from 4 - 6 PM. A memorial celebration of Patrick’s life will be held at Ithaca Recovery Center, 518 Seneca Street, Ithaca, New York on Sunday, April 14 at 2 PM.

Friday, April 12, 2019 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Bangs Funeral Home, Inc. 209 W Green St. Ithaca, New York 14850

Sunday, April 14, 2019 2:00 PM

Ithaca Recovery Center 518 W. Seneca St. Ithaca, NY 14850