Eugene R. "Gene" Parrish, 68, well-known Sayre businessman of Athens RR2, Litchfield Twp., Pa., died early Saturday morning, Nov. 21, 2009, at the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre. Gene was born Oct. 21, 1941 in Plainfield, N.J., the son of the late William and Lucy BUTLER Parrish. He was a graduate of Metuchen, N.J. High School Class of 1959 and in early years was employed by Mayfair Supermarkets and John's Manville in Manville, N.J. On May 21, 1961 he married the former Gail L. EHRNSTROM in Plainfield, N.J. Gene later served as a police officer in Piscataway, N.J. for 10 years and was manager of the Midway Deli in Piscataway for several years. Gene owned and operated the Parrish Family Deli on Keystone Avenue in Sayre since 1986. Gene was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Athens, Lodge Roma Madre No. 1342 Order Sons of Italy in Sayre and Ducks Unlimited. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, cooking and car racing. He is survived by: his wife of 48 years, Gail L. Parrish at home; children, Richard E. Parrish and his wife Donna of Athens RR2, Mark S. Parrish of Sayre, Rosanne Parrish Palmer of Florida, Jennifer L. Parrish Sampson and her husband Jay of Sayre; grandchildren, Derek and Dylan Parrish, Michael, Cynthia and Kristen Palmer, Melissa, Anthony, Brenton and Shannon Sampson; a brother, Charles Parrish and his wife Vera of Ringoes, N.J.; sisters, Laura Kurcez of Easton, Pa., Joyce Bissett of Middlesex, N.J.; several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, John and Joseph Parrish. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009 at the Alteri-Bowen Funeral Home 314 Desmond St. Sayre, Pa. Interment will follow in the Orange Hill Cemetery, Athens Twp., Pa. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday evening and from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Lodge Roma Madre No. 1342 Order Sons of Italy, Sayre, will hold a memorial service Tuesday evening at 8:15 p.m. at the funeral home. The family suggests that memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memorial and Honor Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942 in Eugene's memory. 23 Nov. 2009, Towanda Daily Review.