Graeme F. “Tink” Parrish

Graeme F. “Tink” Parrish, Lifetime Cambridge resident Graeme F. Parrish passed away peacefully in his sleep at Hoosick Falls Health Center on Sunday, August 23, 2009 at the age of 90. He was born September 6, 1918 son of Malcolm and Elsa (Cornell) Parrish. It was from the time of his birth that he received the nickname “Tink” that was his moniker for life.


Tink attended Cambridge Union School and was a 1941 graduate of Cornell University. He served as a lieutenant in the U. S. Army infantry in WWII seeing action in North Africa and Italy and was awarded both the Silver Star for bravery and the Purple Heart for wounds received. Following his discharge, Tink was employed by C. A. McGhee Lumber Co. in Cambridge. He married Grace Thompson on June 28, 1947 and together they had three sons. He purchased the lumber company in 1958,renamed it Cambridge Lumber Co. and operated it until his retirement in 1979

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In addition to his active participation in the local advisory board of the Glens Falls National Bank, he was a long time member of the Mary McClellan Hospital Board. For years Tink was both a member of the Cambridge Band and the band manager. He finally stepped aside in 1999 at the age of 80. He was a member and vestryman of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, a member of Cambridge Valley # 481 F & AM and Capt. Maxson Post # 481 of the American Legion.

In retirement Tink kept busy with his family’s cottage on Lake Lauderdale and the Sprague Springs camp in Vermont, which he helped build following WWII. In 1998 Tink spearheaded the initial renovation of the Cambridge Hotel which became a community effort. He will also be remembered for his support of the Cambridge High School football team.

Graeme is predeceased by his two sisters, Nancy Parrish Russell and Virginia Parrish Lindlof, and his grandson, David Graeme Parrish.

Along with his wife of 62 years, Tink is survived by his three sons, Peter and wife Bobbi Hoadley of Vancouver, B. C., Stephen of Boulder, Colorado and Roger of Victor, Idaho; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 11:00 AM at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, St. Luke’s Place, Cambridge.

Internment will be private at Woodlands Cemetery, Cambridge.

The family requests memorial donations be made to St. Luke’s Church, Cambridge, NY 12816.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit www.ackleyrossfuneralhome.com.

If you wish to have a memory of Tink put on this page, please click HERE or send an EMAIL

Tink and Dan Severson
(picture submitted by Betsy Dearstyne)

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