BELFAST — Kerry Parker, 56, of Belfast, died unexpectedly in his sleep Aug. 1, 2015, following a three-year battle with cancer.

Kerry was born Aug. 16, 1958, in Camden. He was the second of four sons of Ernest and Constance Parker.

Kerry grew up in Northport, where he, his friends and his three brothers, Keith, Kent and Kim, collectively referred to as "the boys from Northport," caused their fair share of good-natured mischief. It was there that Kerry developed a love of the Maine woods and its wildlife, spending nearly all of his spare time hunting, fishing, boating and camping - pursuits that he continued to love and share with others for the rest of his days.

Kerry was a graduate of Belfast Area High School, Class of 1976. After graduation he married the love of his life, Dianne (Young) Parker and worked for many years for the Belfast Highway Department. Kerry had a hobby of woodworking, which later blossomed into his own furniture repair and refinishing business, Parker's Furniture. Kerry became skilled at his trade and drew work from not only the state of Maine, but throughout the eastern U.S.

After 15 years, Kerry tired of the chemicals and late hours stripping furniture. He began working on developing and eventually patenting a waterproof storage box and cooler that fits into the bow or stern of a canoe, aptly titled the "Bow/Stern Canoe Box" or "B.S. Box" for short. While pursuing this dream, he went to work as a carpenter, where he also found success until he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Kerry loved to help those around him. He was always willing to lend a hand to a friend in need, whether with timely (and often humorous) advice, pulling their car out of mud or snow, or by driving his generator door to door after an ice storm in order to keep the food in their freezers from spoiling. He was never more than a phone call away.

Kerry was actively involved with the Boy Scouts of America for many years, even after he saw his son, Jason, become an Eagle Scout. Kerry met many of his best friends through scouting and thoroughly enjoyed passing on his knowledge of the outdoors to the next generation. Kerry also volunteered his time with the Waldo County Search and Rescue, spending many hours in training and on searches for people lost in the Maine woods.

Kerry is survived by Dianne, his loving wife of 37 years; his son, Jason and his wife, Christy, of Pawling, N.Y.; his daughter, Samantha and her fiancé, Alex DeForest, of Chandler, Ariz.,; as well as his parents, Ernest and Connie; his brothers Keith, Kent and Kim; and his grandmother, Vernette Robarts of Camden; as well as other family and cherished friends.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, Aug. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Riposta Funeral Home. A memorial will be held Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 1 p.m. Join Kerry's family for a luncheon reception to reflect on, listen and share fun and memorable stories as we pay tribute to Kerry at Young's Lobster Pound in Belfast immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Waldo County Search and Rescue, 45A Congress Street, Belfast, ME 04915.