Dr. Charles C. Parsons, 78, died at home September 21, 2011 surrounded by his loving family.

Dr. Parsons was born November 12, 1932 in New York City. He was raised in Roxborough, PA, graduated from Roxborough High School, Bucknell University and Temple University Medical School. He completed his internship at Denver Presbyterian Hospital and did his orthopedic residency at Temple University, Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, and Saint Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, under the guidance of his mentor and life long friend, Dr. John W. “Latch” Lachman. He also trained at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London, England. Dr. Parsons was Associate Professor of Orthopedics at Temple, and an orthopedic consultant to the Philadelphia 76ers and the Pennsylvania Ballet Company.

Dr. Parsons relocated to Marion, in 1970 and became a member of medical staffs at St. Luke’s Hospital, Tobey Hospital, Lakeville Hospital and Falmouth Hospital. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. He was a member of the American Medical Association (AMA), and served on the boards of directors of the Eastern Orthopedic Association and the Massachusetts Orthopedic Association.

He served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955 and was stationed at the 8166 Army Hospital in Sendai, Japan.

Dr. Parsons retired in 1993 and began a second career as a professional artist. He held memberships in the New England Watercolor Society, Oil Painters of America, Providence Art Club, Nantucket Artists’ Association, the Copley Society, and the Bermuda Artists’ Association. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally.

He became a licensed pilot in 1976, earned his instrument flight rating soon thereafter and was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He was an active member of the Sippican Tennis Club, the Beverly Yacht Club, and the Tihonet Club.

Charlie was happiest in the great outdoors, paintbrush in hand, pocketknife and fly rod at the ready, teaching his grandchildren about the wonders of the natural world. He especially loved his time on Crystal Pond in Woodstock, CT where, from the time he was a boy, he explored his surroundings nurturing his curiosity and respect for nature.

He leaves his wife Sandria Ryan Parsons, his sister Marion P. Norberg and her husband Carl, and his three children, Sarinda Parsons Wilson and her husband Jonathan, Mark C. Parsons and his partner Alanna, and Alec Parsons and his wife Amy. Charlie adored his seven grandchildren who know him as Granddad.

A service of remembrance and celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 22nd at 2 PM at Wickenden Chapel, Tabor Academy, Spring Street, Marion.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Doctors Without Borders, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or Community Nurse and Hospice Care, 62 Center St., Fairhaven, MA 02719.

Arrangements by Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham. To leave a message of condolence and directions, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com