John Bernard Parkes
Loretta Marie Costello
Loretta Marie Costello
Born: 15 JULY 1900 Boston, MA
Died: 29 MAY 1958 Dorchester, MA
Loretta Marie Costello
Loretta Marie Costello
Loretta Marie Costello
Born: 5 NOV 1902 Boston, MA
Died: 27 AUG 1971 Hull, MA
John B. Parkes
"Still waters run deep" is a phrase that could be used to describe John Bernard Parkes. He was a man of few words, but worth listening to. He lived through two world wars and the Great Depression, all of which molded him into who he became. He had a deep strength of character and spirit. His firm handshake meant his word. He was quick to help those in need. He enjoyed a good cigar in his favorite chair. He had a warm, smart sense of humor and a twinkle in his clear blue eyes. He deeply cherished his family, friends, and fire department, and he was well loved and respected in return.
When John was born on July 15, 1900, near Boston, MA, his father, John (from England), was 37 and his mother, Ann Curley Parkes, was 34. John was the youngest of 4 children. John's father died just 3 years later. Soon after, the family was split up when John's mother was admitted to Westborough State Hospital for long-term care. John's sisters Lucy and Ann were sent to live with relatives and John and his brother Frank were sent to a Poor Boys' Farm in Concord, MA. John grew up without parents, but it's believed he was shown love and guidance along the way because of the loving family man he grew into.
After graduating from Concord High School, John worked as a clerk for ATT in New York. He then followed his brother Frank into the Boston Fire Department in 1924. He married Loretta Marie Costello in 1922. They lived in Dorchester, MA and had 5 sons and 3 daughters over the next 18 years. John lost his brother Frank in 1935 who died at the age of 37 in a line-of-duty fire. John's mother passed just 3 months later. John helped care for Frank's five children as much as possible.
John was promoted to Lieutenant in July of 1936 and to Captain in August 1942. John was on duty during the Cocoanut Grove Fire on November 28, 1942, in Boston, which took almost 500 lives. He spent several weeks in the hospital to recover in the aftermath of this horrific and historic fire. He was Acting District Chief by 1945.
John died on May 29, 1958, in Dorchester, MA, at the age of 57. He is buried with other Parkes family members in St. Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury, MA.
Loretta Marie Costello Parkes
When Loretta Marie Costello was born on November 5, 1902, in Boston, MA, her father Michael Francis Costello was 30, and her mother Laura Wilhelmina Brown was 24. Loretta was the oldest of 4 children. Her mother Laura passed away when Loretta was only 9 but her father 'Pa' lived into his 80s. Loretta married John Bernard Parkes on August 1, 1922 and they had 8 children together: Jack, Rick, Marie, Bob, Ann, Donald, Dotty, Leo.
Loretta was known for her generosity and strength of spirit. She looked after people her entire life - her younger siblings, her 8 children, nieces, nephews, and her many grandchildren.
After her husband John passed away in 1958, Loretta moved to Hull, MA. Many a grandchild remembers visiting Nana in Hull - skipping rocks, walking to Paragon Park, chatting and sipping tea with Nana. She had the softest skin which smelled just like Noxema. Loretta's adventurous spirit led her on an Alaskan cruise - something she always wanted to do.
Genealogy records show that Loretta's maternal grandmother's line was one of the founding families of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.
Loretta died on August 27, 1971, in Hull, MA, at the age of 68. She is buried with other Parkes family members in St. Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury, MA.
There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues… are created, strengthened and maintained.
Winston Churchill
