Paul Joseph-Vincent Parente

Obituary

Paul J. Parente

Professor Emeritus, age 89, passed on May 12th, 2021 surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.  He was the loving Husband of Anne H. (Sarti) Parente and the devoted father to 4 sons; Paul K. (Wife Margaret) Jacksonville, FL ; Robert J. (Wife Natalie) Las Vegas, NV; John P. (Wife Dawn) Rehoboth, MA; David C. (Partner Heather) Lewiston, ME and also leaves 7 grandchildren (Shane, Sarah, Sage, Raina, Koral, Roman, and Lea) and 3 great grandchildren (Lucas, Jack, and Faye); along with several nieces and nephews.

Born in Fall River, to the late Charles and Vincenza (Nardelli) Parente. He is preceded in death by his siblings Antoinette Harrison and Josephine Graci and survived by his brother Charles F. Parente and sister Joan Berrier. Most of his life was spent living in Swansea.

A 1950 graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, he earned a BS in Electrical Engineering at Bradford Durfee College, a Masters Degree in Mathematics with advanced standing at the Doctoral level at Boston University. He taught Mathematics for over 40 years at the University of Mass Dartmouth where he served 2 terms as Chairman of the Mathematics Department.  He was the recipient of the National Science Foundation (NSF) summer grants and participated in an NSF Xpert Consortium at UMass Dartmouth.  He retired in 1996 as Professor Emeritus and in 1998 was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by the University. Paul was a Korean war Veteran and served with the 56th Army band at Camp Zama (Far East Headquarters) Japan.

Paul was an avid scouter in the BSA program for more than 40 years and held many positions including District Chairman, Council Executive Board Member, Scoutmaster of Troop 26, Swansea, Scoutmaster of Troop 47 founded for local scouts who live with mental challenges.  He was a district Chairman for Catholic Scouting and the Fall River Diocesan Lay Chairman of Catholic Scouting for 20 Years.  Paul was presented with many citations and awards such as District Award of Merit, Council Silver Beaver and the National St. George Medal.  He received the Marian Medal from the diocese of Fall River in 1974 and the 1984 Volunteer of the Year award by the Fall River Association for Retarded Citizens.

Professor Parente enjoyed wintering in Florida on Anna Maria Island. He was a member of the American Legion Post 303, the Knights of Columbus Council 3669, the Mathematical Association of the America, AFT and a life member of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting.

The family will observe a private ceremony in their home at 452 Gardners Neck Road in Swansea, Massachusetts, 02777.

Arrangements are with the Silva Funeral Home of Taunton.

For expressions of sympathy, to sign an online guestbook or to light a memorial candle, visit www.silvafuneralhome.com