Obituary for Harold J. Parmelee
Harold J. “Hal” Parmelee, 84, of Bloomfield, beloved husband of Sylvia (Hogblom) Parmelee, died Friday, March 25, 2022. He was born May 14, 1937, in Middletown CT. Son of the late Harold Leon and Alice (Stacey) Parmelee, Hal had been married to his loving wife, Sylvia (Hogblom) for 61 years.
Hal grew up in Haddam CT. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High school (1955), Bowdoin College and MIT where he earned a degree in Civil engineering, and joined the ROTC. Hal was a Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers from 1961 to 1963. Hal was a sportsman and athlete who played baseball and basketball thru high school and college. He also played on the Army baseball travel team. Hal enjoyed following the Red Sox and UConn basketball programs.
Hal’s business career began with Turner Construction in 1960 where he rose to President of Turner Corporation from 1989 to 1999. In his “retirement” Hal worked at JA Jones Construction, Hogblom Builders, Balfour Beatty, and Clayco Construction. Hal was known as a leader who was approachable, supportive, fair, and genuine. Hal loved his work, and cared for the people he worked with.
In addition to his wife Sylvia, Hal is survived by his daughter, Andrea Shotwell and husband Jay; His son, Harold L. Parmelee and wife Susan (Schroer). Hal was predeceased by grandson Hunter Shotwell, by Brother Bill and sister Donna (Bryant). Hal is survived by his brother, Charles Parmelee and his wife Carolyn (Kadrle); Grandson, Andrew Parmelee and wife Lauren (Marchetti), and Grandson Matthew Parmelee. There are many other close family members, friends, and colleagues who hold Hal dearly and will miss him.
A memorial service will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Friday May 13th at the Simsbury United Methodist Church, 799 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. There will be a reception following the service at Metro Bis, 690 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury. Burial will be private. Donations in Hal’s memory may be made to the Smilow Cancer Center, 35 York Street, New Haven, CT 06520. for online tributes.
Hal grew up in Haddam CT. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High school (1955), Bowdoin College and MIT where he earned a degree in Civil engineering, and joined the ROTC. Hal was a Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers from 1961 to 1963. Hal was a sportsman and athlete who played baseball and basketball thru high school and college. He also played on the Army baseball travel team. Hal enjoyed following the Red Sox and UConn basketball programs.
Hal’s business career began with Turner Construction in 1960 where he rose to President of Turner Corporation from 1989 to 1999. In his “retirement” Hal worked at JA Jones Construction, Hogblom Builders, Balfour Beatty, and Clayco Construction. Hal was known as a leader who was approachable, supportive, fair, and genuine. Hal loved his work, and cared for the people he worked with.
In addition to his wife Sylvia, Hal is survived by his daughter, Andrea Shotwell and husband Jay; His son, Harold L. Parmelee and wife Susan (Schroer). Hal was predeceased by grandson Hunter Shotwell, by Brother Bill and sister Donna (Bryant). Hal is survived by his brother, Charles Parmelee and his wife Carolyn (Kadrle); Grandson, Andrew Parmelee and wife Lauren (Marchetti), and Grandson Matthew Parmelee. There are many other close family members, friends, and colleagues who hold Hal dearly and will miss him.
A memorial service will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Friday May 13th at the Simsbury United Methodist Church, 799 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. There will be a reception following the service at Metro Bis, 690 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury. Burial will be private. Donations in Hal’s memory may be made to the Smilow Cancer Center, 35 York Street, New Haven, CT 06520.