Kevin Ernest Parker
July 7, 1961-September 30, 1995
Photo courtesy Diana Flynn
Campbellville, Ontario's Kevin Parker was coached by Louis Stong at the Granite Club. He won the 1976 Canadian novice men's title and the silver medal in the junior men's event at the 1979 Canadians. He went on to represent Canada internationally at Skate Canada, Skate America, St. Ivel and the Nebelhorn Trophy. He won the silver medal behind European Champion Norbert Schramm at the 1981 ASKO Cup of Vienna. He retired from competitive skating after finishing fourth at the 1986 Canadians in North Bay. He later toured with the Ice Capades and represented Canada at the World Professional Championships in Jaca, Spain twice, winning the bronze medal in 1990. He passed away on September 30, 1995 at the age of thirty-four.
Kevin Parker and Brian Orser. Photo courtesy Diana Flynn.
Kevin's obituary: "On September 30, 1995, a talented and loving man was taken from us. Spiritually he will love on in the souls of the people he has touched through his skating, his smile and his giving ways. At age 34, Kevin Parker quietly went to rest after a courageous battle with his illness. Kevin will always be remembered in the memories of those closest to him. In loving memory; Beloved son of Ernest and Vera Parker of Campbellville. Loving brother of Denise Sargent, Moira Saunders and Tracy Parker. Loving nephew of Dennis and Pat Parker of London and Cliff and Pam Kenward of Ancaster. Loving cousin of Tim and Dennilyn Parker of London. Loving friend of Ian Griffin of Ottawa, Ray Makuch of Las Vegas, Doug Westlake and Ron Belisle of Brampton, Doug Haw of Toronto and countless others."
Memories of Kevin from Diana Flynn: "Kevin Parker, as a skater... I could watch him for hours. He was a little guy with these beautiful, big moves. He just worked his ass off for everything that he did and he was just a such a beautiful, young old soul. I remember he got a little basement apartment just two blocks away from me when he moved back to Toronto and he was so excited. I would go down and help him paint it and everything. He met this wonderful young man from Ottawa that he started going out with. We went to the Tulip Festival in Ottawa and stayed with him at his apartment. I had my video camera with me and Kevin, at that point, could hardly walk. He told people to 'piss off'. We stopped in a designer shop - Gucci or something - and he got a paper bag and put it over his head to make a fashion statement. I looked at the video and said, 'I'm so glad you have this because that's my memory of Kevin'. Even though he was reaching the end and in so much pain - so, so much pain - he had a sense of humour... Near the end, an ex from the States came up who was very Roman Catholic. Kevin wasn't. The last thing Kevin wanted was last rites. He'd been in sort of a semi-comatose state for a while and we all thought this was the end. Raymond had decided to pull in the priest and deliver last rites. I remember standing at the back and knowing Kevin would've hated this and not been comfortable with it. But Doug, his other two friends and I shut up because we felt Raymond had to do it for himself. All of a sudden, in the middle of it, you saw Kevin's hand move. Then I saw his eyes flutter. I remember saying to Doug, 'Oh my God! He's waking up... and he's not happy!' And he did... and he told the priest to get the hell out. 'I'm not dead yet. Get the hell out!' is what he said. And that was Kevin... After not moving or saying anything for a couple of days, he opened his eyes and I was there. It happened to be my birthday and I didn't want him to die on my birthday. His eyes opened up and he looked at me and smiled and said, 'Don't worry, I'm not dying today.' I looked at him and said, 'What do you mean, you're not dying today?' He goes, 'I would never do that on your birthday.' I didn't even know he even knew what day of the week it was. He passed away on the 30th, and my birthday was the 28th."
*Source for inclusion: "Parker was figure skating star", The Acton Tanner, October 11, 1995
