CAMDEN — Parker Stone Laite Sr., one of the community's most recognized and active civic leaders, died June 6, 2016, at his home surrounded by loving family and friends, following a brief illness.

Born Nov. 14, 1933, in Camden, he was the son of Gilbert and Dorothy Stone Laite, and the second oldest of four brothers. Parker graduated from Camden High School in 1951 and Maine Maritime Academy in 1954. Parker later attended a 14-week executive education program at Harvard Business School, from February to May, 1970.

Ten days after his graduation from Maine Maritime, Parker signed on as a merchant marine and served as a junior third mate on the S.S. Steel Architect for Isthmian Lines Steamship Company, then owned by U.S. Steel, and also with the Farrell Lines and the American Export Lines. He served two years of active duty in the U.S. Navy. Lt. Laite also served 10 years of reserved duty.
Parker married his high school sweetheart, Irene “Renie” Fitzsimmons at the Camden Amphitheatre on Oct. 2, 1955. Together they raised two children, Parker “Chip” and Dorothy “Dody,” in their hometown.

In 1961, Parker embarked on an exciting career with Marine Colloids Inc. in Rockland (later in 1977 to be owned by FMC Corp. in Chicago, Ill.) For 30 years, as international buyer for the company's raw product, seaweed, he traveled the world making many friends in all corners of the globe. In 1972, he established Laite Construction Inc. and later in 1998 until 2007, was one of the owners of Wayfarer Marine Inc. Both in earthwork as well as the boat business, Parker strived to keep local people employed with year-round jobs in Camden.

Career aspirations aside, Parker always made time for his community, his church and his family. For more than half a century, he conscientiously served with his own special acumen, warmth and sense of humor.

Parker served nine years on the Camden Board of Selectmen, including two terms as chairman. He served for 15 years on the Camden Planning Board, mainly as its chairman. He also served on the Land Use and Comprehensive Plan committees, the Camden Post Office Committee, the Camden Harbor Committee, as co-chair of the Town Charter Committee and as a member of a committee that established zoning for Camden.

He also served on the committee that formed Maine School Administrative District 28 and was involved in many school construction projects. He was the moderator for many years at the annual town meeting. He served on the Camden Public Library Board of Trustees, serving as president from 2000 to 2004. In 1993, he directed the restoration of the Camden Amphitheatre and was chairman of the building committee that managed the construction of the library's underground Centennial Wing in 1996, and remained as an honorary Trustee. He was a trustee of the Pascal Fund and served on the Camden Cemetery Association, the Camden Veterans' Honor Roll Committee, and was a trustee, as well as a president, of the Camden Area History Center.

He had been a trustee of Pen Bay Medical Center and was chairman of their building committee. He was also a trustee of the Camden Health Care Center and was chairman of that building project. He was a lifelong member of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, where he had been a choir boy, acolyte, vestryman, building committee chairman, finance committee chairman and reliable usher. Parker also was a 61-year member of Masonic Amity Lodge #6.

Parker was honored in 1994 as Rockport-Camden-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce's Townsperson of the Year. In 2007, the Camden Town Report was dedicated to him for his service to the community.

His final role for his beloved town was as Grand Marshall in the Memorial Day parade, one week prior to his passing. He was also blessed that week with meeting his first great-grandchild, Maxwell Stone Laite.

He was predeceased by his parents, Gilbert and Dorothy; his brothers, Vance, Keryn and Gilbert; and his wife of 50 years, Irene F. Laite.

Parker is survived by his son, Parker S. “Chip” Laite Jr. and his wife, Nancy L., of Camden; his daughter, Dorothy L. “Dody” Urquia and her husband, David C., of Readfield; his grandchildren, Parker S. Laite III, his wife, Sydney J., and their three-week old son, Maxwell S., of Annandale, Va., Victoria L. Anderson and her husband, Thomas M., of Framingham, Mass., Lindsey N. Urquia of Atlanta, Ga., and Morgan M. Urquia of Readfield; and his significant other and cherished friend, Joan Mullaney of Camden. He also is survived by very dear nephews and nieces, and many friends in the States and around the world.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit on Sunday, June 12, from 2 to 6 p.m. at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 33 Chestnut St. in Camden. A funeral service will be held Monday, June 13, at 11 a.m., also at St. Thomas’. (Overflow seating will be avaiable at the Camden Opera House.) The Rev. Suzanne Colburn will officiate. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Oak Hill Memorial Garden Fund, c/o Camden Town Office, P.O. Box 1207, Camden, ME 04843, or to the charity of one's choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home.