Dana Woodward Parker

Dana Woodward Parker of Pepperell, Massachusetts, affectionately known as “Grumpy” by his family, passed away peacefully at his home on September 15, 2026 at the age of 83 after a long illness. Dana was born in Rockville, CT on June 21, 1943 and was the sixth of seven children born to Glenn R Parker and Dorothy (Holt) Parker.

After moving with his family back to Pepperell as a young child, Dana attended local schools including Pepperell High School before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in June 1962 where he honorably served while stationed in Okinawa Japan and Parris Island, South Carolina before returning home where he met the love of his life – his wife Elfie.

Dana had a love of all things having to do with driving trucks, motorcycles and heavy equipment. That passion played a significant part of his life starting when he was a member of a local motorcycle club called the Pepperell Road Knights as a young man. It continued during his time in the Marine Corps in the motor pool. After leaving the Corps, he went to work for Sheldon Trucking, then the Town of Pepperell Water Department and with Pepperell’s Fire Department where he was a volunteer firefighter for over 17 years just like his father before him. For many of those years, he was also in charge of the chicken BBQ at the Pepperell Fireman’s Muster. Following that he went on to working at Hollingsworth & Vose in Groton, St. Regis (Pepperell Paper) and McClain Trucking before he and Elfie decided to open D&E Trucking which was based from their home on Heald Street. In later years before his retirement, he worked for ShepCo in Townsend, MA.

He also shared that love with his family. As his children and then grandchildren came along, it was not unusual to see one of them side by side with him under a truck handing him tools, pestering with questions while he was covered in grease and smoking one of his cigars. One of his greatest hopes was that someone would follow in his footsteps. To his delight some of his children and grandchildren have become truck drivers, mechanics and firefighters which made him immensely proud.

Dana’s first real love though was for his family and friends. His quiet strength was a grounding force for anyone lucky enough to be his presence. He loved to laugh, with a sense of humor and infectious smile that reached his eyes with a twinkle that usually meant he was up to something. It was well known that if you asked him for directions to anywhere, the landmarks he used would include some restaurant, diner or greasy spoon truck stop that he had stopped at in his travels. He loved being a father but being a grandfather was something he embraced with his entire being. The love for his children and grandchildren was immeasurable and when asked, he would glow with pride as he spoke about them and their latest achievements no matter how small. Family was everything to him and by his definition that didn’t always mean being born into the family. More than once, it also included his children’s friends – many of who called him Dad. He loved and guided them all just as if they were his own. He always had time to chat for a few minutes and had a habit of just dropping by someone’s house to visit unannounced. More often than not, a few minutes turned into an hour or more as there was always another story to tell or another piece of family or local history to share. Quiet moments were spent sitting in his favorite chair, reading the paper, watching his beloved John Wayne movies and classic westerns, maybe eating steamer clams with an ice cold beer and his favorite cigar.

Dana is predeceased by his parents, along with his six siblings – Peter, Phyllis and Norma Parker who all passed in childhood, Glenn “Bud” Parker Jr., Nina Parker Sheldon and Paul D. Parker. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Elfriede “Elfie” Parker and his children - sons Dana Parker Jr and his wife Ann of Sevierville, TN; Michael Parker and his wife Sharon of Westminster, MA; Thomas Parker and his wife Aimee of Pepperell, MA and daughter Marion Parker Rudolph of Nashua, NH along with 14 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and countless nephews, nieces, cousins and friends who will all miss him greatly.

To the world he was just Dana but to those who loved him, he was a husband, Dad, Grumpy, Uncle Dana, cousin and friend. “Once a Marine, always a Marine” ~ Semper Fidelis

To honor this wonderful man, there will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at the Squannacook River Sportsmen’s Club, 60 Warren Road in Townsend, MA from 12 PM – 6 PM. All are welcome to come and share their memories of the man who touched so many people’s hearts. A private burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Pepperell, MA will be held a later date at the family’s convenience.