Francis Parent

Francis Alfonse Parent, 90, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at his home in Mentone, California. Francis was born December 7th, 1924 in Boston, Massachusetts and spent his whole childhood there. Known as Frank, he joined the Marines in 1942 and participated in World War #2 in the Chinese Theater of Operations. After the war, Frank married Elaine Scott on August 1, 1948. Frank participated in the Korean Conflict and continued serving with the Marine Corps in many areas of the country and the world. The threat of Vietnam loomed over the Marines in the early 60's and Frank decided to retire in 1964, having served 22 years in the service of his country. With a wife and six children to support, Frank was not about to slow down. After retiring from the service, Frank went directly to work for McDonnell Douglas as a Technical Support Engineer. He was excited to work on many of the same aircraft that he had worked on while in the service. That said, his expertise with aircraft repair was recognized by management and he was sent to Vietnam to work on McDonnell Douglas aircraft deployed to service there. Upon his return to stateside, Frank relocated his family to Garden Grove, California. Frank retired from McDonnell Douglas in 1986 after 22 years of service. Frank was very active with the Catholic Church and he worked with the Saint Vincent De Paul Society to start and run a food service program that was responsible for providing food to over 500 poor families a week for over 20 years. He delegated the running of the program to others in the church in 2006 when loading the trucks became too overwhelming. Frank lost his wife Elaine Parent on September 9th, 2001, two days before the terrible terrorist attack against the United States. After a mourning period, Frank befriended Janice Crim. Janice had lost her husband Robert three months before Frank had lost Elaine. They both knew the feelings of loss and loneliness and together, they made a go of it, getting married in 2005. Frank relocated to Mentone where he lived out the rest of his life. He and Janice were active members of the Yucaipa Elks and the Saint Frances Church. Frank and Janice raised avocadoes and sold them, donating the proceeds to the Elks Club Purple Pig; a program that helps handicapped children. A true war hero, a talented engineer, a stalwart church member and a tireless charitable donator, Frank is survived by his wife Janice, his sons Francis, Joe, John & Gerard and his daughters Lorraine & Kathleen. In addition he leaves 12 grandchildren and 13 Great Grandchildren. Viewing will be held June 10, 2015 from 5pm to 8pm with a Rosary from 8pm to 9pm at Emerson Bartlett Mortuary in Yucaipa. Funeral Services will be held at Saint Frances Church in Yucaipa at 11:00 am June 11, followed by a reception at Yucaipa Elks Club on 2nd St. from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 pm. Graveside services with Full Military Honors will be held Friday, June 12 at 10:00 am at the Holy Sepulcher Cemetery 7845 Santiago Canyon Rd, Orange, CA 92669 In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Yucaipa Elks, "Purple Pig" program. P.O. Box 578, Yucaipa, CA 92399.