AUBURN — Chester “Chet” R. Parker of North Bridgton died peacefully on Friday, Jan. 21 at Schooner Estates, Auburn. He was 95.

The son of Edgar Parker and Pearl Townsend Parker Smith and stepson of George Smith, “Chet” was born in Saugus, Mass. on May 12, 1915. He graduated from Bates College in 1939 and received his master’s degree in education at Boston University.

His career as an educator spanned almost 40 years as he served as teacher, principal, and superintendent of schools in over a dozen towns and school districts throughout the state of Maine. He was an early proponent of school consolidation and his innovative leadership was instrumental in the formation of school administrative districts in Buxton (MSAD 6), Bridgton (MSAD 61), and Lincoln (MSAD 67).

He was a respected leader in the community, volunteering his time and energy to many causes. For over 20 years he was a member of the Bridgton Appeals Board and the Harrison/North Bridgton Water District. He served as State President of the Maine Parent Teacher’s Association and was a former president of Maine’s Prevention of Blindness Program. A life member of the Lions, he was former King Lion of the Bridgton Lions Club, and former cabinet secretary/treasurer of the District 41L Lions.

An active sportsman, he skied into his 70s and played tennis into his 80s. His lifelong love of sailing included many years of participating in Friendship Sloop races, cruises on his son’s sailboat in the Mediterranean, and sailing trips with his daughter and family in the Caribbean.

He and his wife traveled extensively throughout North America and Europe; making lifelong friends with people from all over the world. At home, Chet’s warm wit and easy company made his kitchen table a welcome interlude for friends and neighbors throughout the years.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Eleanor Smart Parker; his daughter and her husband, Lynn and John Schiavi of Hale’s Location, N.H. and Naples, Fla.; his son, C. Randolph Parker of North Bridgton; two grandchildren, Deborah Schiavi Cote and her husband, Paul, of Auburn and Katherine Schiavi Melioris and her husband, Todd, of Atlanta, Ga.; five great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Michael Cote and Evan, Ella Pearl and Bryson Melioris and his sister, Marion Gibbs, of Laconia, N.H.

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