Therence J. ‘Terry’ ‘Bull’ Parise

1922 – 2009

LEWISTON — Therence Joseph “Terry” “Bull” Parise, 87, of Pine Street, Rumford, died peacefully on Friday, June 19, at the Central Maine Medical Center, after a brief illness.

He was born on May 22, 1922, in Caraquet, NB, Canada, the son of Gustave and Josephine Lanteigne Parise. He moved to Rumford at an early age with his parents, attended St. John’s Elementary School and Stephen’s High School until, like many of his age, he left early to help support a rather large family.

He went to work in the Civilian Conservation Corps, primarily in what is now the White Mountain National Forest. As a youth he was a member of Rumford’s “Waldo Street Gang” and often mentioned other members and reunions with great fondness. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army in a demolitions unit and also as an interpreter primarily in the European Theater in Italy and Southern France. Later he also served for many years in the National Guard in Rumford.
In 1946, he married Anita Ferland, his true lifelong partner. He worked in the Rumford Paper Mill for more than 40 years, retiring in 1984. In recent years, he took on a new role as caregiver, a role that he accomplished with remarkable patience and love. His family wishes to express sincere gratitude to family members and friends who helped in many ways to allow him and his wife to live at home for as long as possible.
He attended St. John’s Church and was a member of several local organizations including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Elks, the Eagles, Les Paresseux Snowshoe Club and the Knights of Columbus.
Terry loved hunting and fishing, reading, keeping up with the news and puttering at their camp in Roxbury Pond. He was also a naturally smooth dancer. He and Anita could often be seen dancing at the local clubs, where they always lit up the floor. He had the wonderful ability to make every dance partner feel like a dancer too.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years; a son, David Parise and wife, Joan, of Rye, N.H.; a grandson, Brian Parise, also of Rye, N.H.; his brother, Francois “Blackie” Parise of Rumford; his sister, Flora Pelletier of Rumford; his sister, Anita Worthley Fournier of Biddeford; his brother, Robert Parise and wife, Carol, of Rumford Corner; his brother, Joseph Parise and companion, Judy Richardson, of Andover; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents; a sister, Juliet Tipton of Arizona; and his brother, Gerard Parise of Connecticut.