James Thomas “Jim” Parsch Sr., 86, of Shallotte, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Nov. 1, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family, following a courageous 16-month battle with cancer.
Jim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather whose life was marked by service to his country, dedication to his family, a strong work ethic, and an enduring commitment to his faith.
Born July 31, 1940 in Cleveland, Ohio, Jim was adopted and raised by his loving parents, Gilbert and Alverna Parsch, in Akron, Ohio.
As a young man, he answered the call to serve his country, enlisting in the United States Navy as a radarman, including special operations assignments as a member of the Navy’s Beach Jumpers.
During his Navy years, Jim married Lois Ferreira, and together they began a family that would eventually include their two children, Jim and Toni. Following his military service, he settled in Rhode Island, where he began raising his family and embarked on a career in law enforcement as an officer with the Providence Police Department.
Seeking a less hazardous profession, Jim transitioned into the construction industry before finding his calling as a Teamster truck driver. He spent many years behind the wheel, earning the prestigious Million Mile Safe Driving Award and coming close to achieving a second, before eventually retiring in York, Pennsylvania.
In 1996, Jim married Annette, with whom he would share the next chapter of his life. Together they moved to North Carolina, making their homes in Rockingham, Calabash, and most recently Shallotte. Never one to remain idle, Jim continued working part-time in a variety of endeavors while generously sharing his time and talents with his church and community.
A man of faith, Jim was actively involved in parish life throughout the years, serving in numerous ministries, including the church choir, as a Eucharistic Minister and lector, and as a member of pastoral councils. He also contributed his skills and time to church maintenance and improvement projects. His faith was not simply something he practiced on Sundays, but a guiding influence in how he lived and served. At the time of his passing, Jim and Annette were members of St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church.
Jim was equally committed to civic service. He served on community planning and zoning boards in Richmond and Brunswick counties and participated in numerous community activities. Whether serving his church, his neighbors or his community, Jim believed in doing his part and making a positive difference.
Jim had a big personality and rarely encountered a stranger. He enjoyed meeting people, striking up conversations, and sharing stories with just about anyone willing to listen. A natural take-charge kind of man, Jim liked things organized, had definite ideas about how things ought to be done, and was never shy about sharing them. He took pride in keeping things in order and was constantly looking for ways to improve his surroundings. Whether working on his home, helping maintain his church, or tackling a project in even the most modest of settings, Jim had a knack for making things better than he found them — usually with a plan of his own for how to get it done.
Throughout his life, Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, woodworking and traveling. He particularly enjoyed ocean cruises, which offered opportunities to explore new places and meet new people. His many interests reflected a man who enjoyed staying active, learning new things, and making the most of life’s experiences.
Above all, Jim treasured his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Annette Parsch; his son, James “Jim” Parsch Jr., and his wife, Anita; his daughter, Antoinette (Toni) Stoll, and her husband, Ken; and his stepson, Paul Anderson. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Letisha Perdue, David Parsch, Cody Stoll, Nicholas Parsch, Jessica Black, Christian Parsch, Kenneth Stoll, Alexandra Vettel and Nicholas Grooms; as well as 24 great-grandchildren. Additional survivors include his sister, Jane Harbage; and his nieces and nephew, Heidi, Amy and Brian; along with extended family and many friends who will cherish his memory.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Alverna Parsch; his stepdaughter, Larisa Whitaker; and his grandson, Timothy Grooms.
Jim will be remembered for his dedication to family, his willingness to serve, his strong sense of duty, his larger-than-life personality, and his determination to leave every place a little better than he found it. His legacy lives on through the family he loved, the communities he served, and the countless lives he touched throughout his 86 years.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church in Shallotte, North Carolina, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at 10 a.m., followed by military honors and a reception.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society in Jim’s memory.
In accordance with his wishes, Jim will be cremated, and his cremated remains will be laid to rest at a later date alongside those of his beloved wife, Annette.
May he rest in eternal peace with his Savior Jesus Christ.
Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Parsch family. Online condolences may be made at harringtonfuneralhome.com.
