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It is with a heavy heart to announce the passing of Coach Charlie Parker, a legendary North Attleboro Junior Football coach, and my father’s best friend.
For the past 35 years anyone who has been involved with North Attleboro Junior Football knows Charlie Parker was a permanent fixture in the NAJF organization. His willingness to perform any duty or service – be it on the field, in the concession stand, or behind the scenes at a board meeting – epitomized the true spirit of volunteerism that runs so deep in the fabric of our North Attleboro community. Charlie was the first person to arrive to help set up both Beaupre and Community Fields on game day; and he was also one of the last to leave after trash has been picked up and equipment put away at the end of the night. This devotion to the North Attleboro Junior Football program led to a great bond between him and my father, Jimmy Ferrara. They were both fixtures on the sidelines on Saturdays in the fall at Community Field.
As a “coach” Mr. Parker was passionate and committed to teaching his young players, driving them with enthusiasm and an infectious positive energy to deliver their best effort in every practice and game. His mission was to ensure every boy enjoys the most positive experience as possible playing Pop Warner football regardless of the player’s background or skill level, and his players loved him back for his comforting words of encouragement. Not only did Coach Parker have at least 300 wins, but he earned the NAJF Courage Award in 2013. In 2015 he was also honored with the “Coach of the Year Award” for outstanding contributions to youth football from the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association.
In 2011, Charlie’s world was turned upside down when a routine medical exam revealed a tumor that later would be confirmed as Stage 3 Colorectal Cancer by the staff at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. He immediately began both chemotherapy and radiation treatments on a daily basis at Dana Farber Hospital, a process that would last for several months. Charlie was operated on to remove the tumor with excellent results. At that time his doctors felt they extracted 100% of the tumor, although Charlie’s strength and will to overcome suffering would continue to be challenged in the months ahead when he began limping for no explainable reason. Another round of chemo followed to ensure the cancer had not returned before doctors ultimately determined that the constant radiation on his colon had led to a full fracture in his hip. Just about two years later, Coach Parker endured two more major surgeries in the course of just three weeks – one to completely replace his hip. Since these surgeries, his life was like a roller coaster since he would be cleared of any cancer in one scan and then the next it would be in a new spot. After many years of chemotherapy, radiation, and experimental trials, Charlie’s body was not responding and weakening. He chose to stop all medications, so he could enjoy some quality time with his family. However, the pain was just too much to withstand. Simultaneously, he caught pneumonia in both lungs and had to be transported to the hospital. He did get his last wish of coming home and being surrounded by his loving family when he took his last breath.
During his treacherous journey he has shared with his wife Cathy numerous times that his family, friends, and football are what kept him going. Despite his life-changing ordeal Charlie had never lost his desire to serve the youth of North Attleboro. He insisted his treatments be done in the mornings so he could make practice every night, and he attended them all; his priority was and always had been “the kids” first, and he did not want to let his players down. He was still the first one to arrive and the last one to leave each weekend, helping make sure the NAJF experience continued for all involved despite the misfortune he had been battling.
Charlie Parker cherished his time spent coaching football for so long in town, particularly during the special years when he was able to share the sidelines with his sons Jeffrey and Matthew, and later with his grandsons Justin and Brodie. Since, Charlie Parker has touched the lives of countless children who no doubt are better men and women today for having known him. I think it is time for us to give back to Coach Parker and his wife Cathy Parker. I have created this page on behalf of them. I am kindly asking for help with donations to Cathy Parker. Any small amount will be greatly appreciated. These donations will be helping to alleviate the numerous medical bills due to the cancer and also the funeral expenses. If you are unable to give, please keep the Parkers in your thoughts and prayers. Feel free to reach out to the Parker family, but also understand that they are going through a tough time so they may not be able to respond. They appreciate all the love and prayers.
Please help spread the word and thank you in advance.
Extra proceeds will go towards a scholarship in honor of Coach Charlie Parker.
For the past 35 years anyone who has been involved with North Attleboro Junior Football knows Charlie Parker was a permanent fixture in the NAJF organization. His willingness to perform any duty or service – be it on the field, in the concession stand, or behind the scenes at a board meeting – epitomized the true spirit of volunteerism that runs so deep in the fabric of our North Attleboro community. Charlie was the first person to arrive to help set up both Beaupre and Community Fields on game day; and he was also one of the last to leave after trash has been picked up and equipment put away at the end of the night. This devotion to the North Attleboro Junior Football program led to a great bond between him and my father, Jimmy Ferrara. They were both fixtures on the sidelines on Saturdays in the fall at Community Field.
As a “coach” Mr. Parker was passionate and committed to teaching his young players, driving them with enthusiasm and an infectious positive energy to deliver their best effort in every practice and game. His mission was to ensure every boy enjoys the most positive experience as possible playing Pop Warner football regardless of the player’s background or skill level, and his players loved him back for his comforting words of encouragement. Not only did Coach Parker have at least 300 wins, but he earned the NAJF Courage Award in 2013. In 2015 he was also honored with the “Coach of the Year Award” for outstanding contributions to youth football from the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association.
In 2011, Charlie’s world was turned upside down when a routine medical exam revealed a tumor that later would be confirmed as Stage 3 Colorectal Cancer by the staff at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. He immediately began both chemotherapy and radiation treatments on a daily basis at Dana Farber Hospital, a process that would last for several months. Charlie was operated on to remove the tumor with excellent results. At that time his doctors felt they extracted 100% of the tumor, although Charlie’s strength and will to overcome suffering would continue to be challenged in the months ahead when he began limping for no explainable reason. Another round of chemo followed to ensure the cancer had not returned before doctors ultimately determined that the constant radiation on his colon had led to a full fracture in his hip. Just about two years later, Coach Parker endured two more major surgeries in the course of just three weeks – one to completely replace his hip. Since these surgeries, his life was like a roller coaster since he would be cleared of any cancer in one scan and then the next it would be in a new spot. After many years of chemotherapy, radiation, and experimental trials, Charlie’s body was not responding and weakening. He chose to stop all medications, so he could enjoy some quality time with his family. However, the pain was just too much to withstand. Simultaneously, he caught pneumonia in both lungs and had to be transported to the hospital. He did get his last wish of coming home and being surrounded by his loving family when he took his last breath.
During his treacherous journey he has shared with his wife Cathy numerous times that his family, friends, and football are what kept him going. Despite his life-changing ordeal Charlie had never lost his desire to serve the youth of North Attleboro. He insisted his treatments be done in the mornings so he could make practice every night, and he attended them all; his priority was and always had been “the kids” first, and he did not want to let his players down. He was still the first one to arrive and the last one to leave each weekend, helping make sure the NAJF experience continued for all involved despite the misfortune he had been battling.
Charlie Parker cherished his time spent coaching football for so long in town, particularly during the special years when he was able to share the sidelines with his sons Jeffrey and Matthew, and later with his grandsons Justin and Brodie. Since, Charlie Parker has touched the lives of countless children who no doubt are better men and women today for having known him. I think it is time for us to give back to Coach Parker and his wife Cathy Parker. I have created this page on behalf of them. I am kindly asking for help with donations to Cathy Parker. Any small amount will be greatly appreciated. These donations will be helping to alleviate the numerous medical bills due to the cancer and also the funeral expenses. If you are unable to give, please keep the Parkers in your thoughts and prayers. Feel free to reach out to the Parker family, but also understand that they are going through a tough time so they may not be able to respond. They appreciate all the love and prayers.
Please help spread the word and thank you in advance.
Extra proceeds will go towards a scholarship in honor of Coach Charlie Parker.
Organizer and beneficiary
Cathy Parker
Beneficiary