John Morford Parsons, M.D., passed away Nov. 28, 2023, after a short illness. John was born in Red Bank and grew up in Little Silver at his family home, “Sky High.” He was the son of the late Theodore D. Parsons, former New Jersey Attorney General (1948-1954), and the late Margaret Morford Parsons.
John attended secondary school at Red Bank High School and the Hill School. At Lafayette College, John was a captain of the 1960 lacrosse team and, upon graduation, he continued his education at Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. After finishing medical school in 1964, John completed his internship at the New York Hospital Cornell University Medical Center in 1965 and concluded his residency in General Surgery in 1969.
From 1970-1972, John served his country in the United States Navy as a lieutenant commander and surgeon aboard the U.S.S. Independence and as a staff surgeon at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia. In 1972, John accepted a position as associate staff in General Surgery at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Massachusetts, where he would begin a successful career in the town he would call home for the next 51 years. In addition to his surgical duties at Cooley Dickinson, John was a former medical staff president, board trustee, and chief of surgery. He was also a member of the New England Surgical Society.
In addition to expertly, compassionately and dutifully serving thousands of patients throughout his career, John gave back to his community in other ways. He served on the board of directors, including as president, of the Hampshire Regional YMCA, was active in the Hampshire County United Way, and even did a stint as the head coach of the Smith College Alpine Ski Team from 1982-1987.
While his love of medicine, noteworthy career and community involvement brought him genuine satisfaction as well as personal and professional fulfillment, it was his family that represented his true purpose and joy. He first met the love of his life, Dorothy “Lynne” Vietor, at the Sea Bright Beach Club in their youth. Years later, they reencountered one another when she was a bridesmaid and he was a groomsman at the wedding of mutual friends. They were engaged three months later and married in 1966. Their children, Timothy and Jessica, were raised in Northampton.
John maintained his athleticism as an avid golfer and loved guiding and watching his children as they competed in sports, especially tennis. He was immensely proud of the successful careers of his children, with Tim following in his father’s footsteps as a physician and Jessica thriving in the corporate world.
In retirement, John and Lynne spent many winters in La Quinta, California, where they enjoyed golf, fine weather and the company of great friends. John continued his sports fandom with his grandchildren whom he adored, enthusiastically attending games in person or livestreaming them as often as he could. They loved their “Papa” deeply. He loved to laugh with them, often telling them bawdy stories and tales of his own hijinks as a youth, which they reveled in.
John was predeceased by his parents, Theodore and Margaret Parsons, and his brother Theodore “Ted” Parsons. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lynne Parsons; his sister Pog Summers of New York, New York; his children, Dr. Timothy V. Parsons (Maddy) of Northampton, Massachusetts and Jessica P. Hickey (Dan) of Wilmington, Delaware; and four grandchildren, Aidan Hickey, Brendan Hickey, Ellie Parsons and Lila Parsons.
A service celebrating John’s life was held Dec. 6 at Smith College’s Helen Hills Hills Chapel. Donations can be made to Cooley Dickinson Hospital in memory of Dr. John Parsons.
This article originally appeared in the December 21 – 29, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
