Dr. Howard Irwin Parish
August 13, 1940 – January 2, 2024
Howard Parish of West Windsor, NJ, formerly of Cranford, NJ passed away on January 2, 2024 at his home in Fort Myers, FL.
Howard was born in Jersey City, NJ and grew up in Bayonne, NJ. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from New Jersey City University, a Master’s from Rutgers University, and a Doctorate from Columbia University. He was Professor Emeritus of Geosciences at NJCU from 1965-2002. After retiring from NJCU, Howard was self-employed as a labor arbitrator and mediator for the state of New Jersey, focusing on both the private and public sectors.
He was an active member of the New Jersey Education Association and served on the Executive Committee as well as the Government Relations Committee for over 20 years. He also served as a consultant for 37 years representing locals and their members in negotiations, grievance and arbitration hearings. He served as a member of the NEA Board of Directors and Chair of the NEA’s Higher Education Caucus. Howard received numerous awards from NEA for leadership and dedicated advocacy, from Jersey City Education Association, Habitat for Humanity, and the Bayonne Jewish community Center. The Rotary Club of Jersey City named him Rotarian of the Year in 2012-2013 and in 2014-2015. Howard was a member of the Board of the United Way of Hudson County since 1989 and Chair of the Board from 2006-2022.
Howard adored his wife, Sofia. Together they loved traveling, eating out and spending time with family. Howard loved the NY Times crossword puzzle, birdwatching, the opera, and the warm Florida winters. He was so proud of the successes of his children and grandchildren.
Son of the late Arthur and Riviera Parish, Howard is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sofia; his children: Craig (Jane), Ilene (Jonathan) and Michele (Brian); his grandchildren: Andrew, Emma and Rebecca Parish, Alexander, Adam and Danielle Gershen, Samantha and Jamie Staub; and his sister Susan (Arnold) Klein.
Funeral Services are at 11:00am on Thursday, January 4th at The Jewish Center of Princeton, 435 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ. Burial is at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge, NJ. Shiva will take place at the Parish Residence in West Windsor.
The family respectfully requests memorial donations be made to:
The Jewish Center of Princeton
United Way www.unitedwayhudson.org
Rotary International www.rotary.org
Dear Sofia, So sorry to hear of your sad news of Howard passing. Our thoughts are with you. 🙏🏼 Barbara & Howard Englert
I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I knew him, he sounds like a truly wonderful man.
We are all deeply saddened by loss of Howie.
He was “First Class” in every way and the Secaucus Rotary Club was blessed to have him as a member & friend!
Our thoughts and prayers are with Sofia & family during this very difficult time.
God Bless You!
I am deeply saddened by this sudden loss sending thoughts and prayers to the entire family.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Howard. May you and your family never know of any more sorrows
We all lost a good friend. My heart goes out to Sofia and the family and remember the wonderful times you had with him
To my Floridian neighbors, Sophia I am truly sorry your loss may Howard rest with the angels
So sorry for your loss Sofia and family.
Rich and I were so sad to hear of Howie’s passing. He was a wonderful person and a valued friend who will truly be missed.
Dear Sophia, John and I were so saddened to hear of the passing of Howard.John has so many memories of working with Howard at JCSU and Jersey City Rotary. Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
I am a retired secretary from Hudson County Community College, NJ. I remember when Mr. Parish worked in the area of labor/union negotiations . Throughout the years of my encounters with him, he always greeted and treated me with kindness and respect.
My condolences to the family.
Dear Ilene (and family),
Saddened to hear of your father’s sudden passing. Sending love and hoping you and your family find comfort surrounded by those you love. Z’L
Warm Hugs,
Vivian
Sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest condolences to you and your family. I worked with Howard on a number of projects at NJCU and always found him helpful in moving toward whatever was the goal of the moment. My wife, Sharon, and I enjoyed going on field trips with Howie and John Marchisin and, while they were all very well organized, the both of them were always good for a laugh.
Sophia,
We are so sorry for your loss, may he rest in everlasting peace.
Theresa and Michael Rodriguez
from Pine Ridge
So Sorry to hear of Howie’s passing. My condolences and prayers are with Sophia and the family. 😓
I was so sad to hear of Howard passing. You had so many great years together and you will enjoy the memories of those wonderful times. Love to you and your family. Joan Fricker
Oh Sophia, my heart aches for you. My most sincere condolences to you and your family. Howard will be truly missed in Pine Ridge. So glad I got to see and hug him at the lighting of the menorah. Prayers for comfort and peace my sweet friend.
My sincere condolences to Sofia, family, and friends of Howard Parrish. I came to know Howie several years ago, when I was president of the Rotary Club of Secaucus. Howie arranged for several members to join our Club. Howie became immediately committed to our Club. Howie always gave freely of his time in Service to Rotary. Although he was highly accomplished, Howie always exhibited a generosity of spirit and humility that immediately won people over. He touched my heart, and will be missed by me, and so many other Rotarian friends. Rest in peace🙏
Sophia,
Gary and I were very saddened to hear about Howard’s passing. We always loved seeing you both at the pool. With this cool weather, we never made it there. We wish we could have given you both a hug and a hello since you’ve been here. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! God bless you! 🥰🥰🙏🙏
Sofia…..Our hearts ache for you and your family. Howard was bigger than life and accomplished so much . He will be missed.Sending our love and condolences.❤️
Sophia,
We were sadden to learn of Howie’s passing. I loved walking & talking with him in the pool. He will be missed by so many. Our sincere condolences to you and your family! Our prayers are with you.
Carol & Victor
Sophia. So sorry to hear about Howard passing
My condolences & prayers are with you & your family
Susan
So very sorry to hear of Howard’s passing. He was such an amazing person. May he rest in peace. He will be missed by many. My love and sincere condolences to you.XO toni
Sophia. So sorry for your loss. May Howard’s memory be a blessing for you and your family.
Gail
Sophia, what a lovely tribute to Howie.
Prayers for his spirit in transition and for your grieving heart. ♥ We neighbors at Pine Ridge, will truly miss him.
Sophia,
So sorry to hear about Howard’s passing.
Always enjoyed talking with you and your husband at the pool.
My condolences to you and your family.
You and Howard were some of my first friends at Pine Ridge. Enjoy our Covid Happy Hours. Howard was a special part of Pine Ridge. May he rest in Peace. Sending hugs to you and your family.
To the Parish Family:
Please accept my condolences on the passng of Howard. For a period of aproximately 25 years I was fortunate to know Howard atJersey Ciity State College and later at Hudson County Community College. I am a better person because of Howard Parish and his commitment to honest comunication .
Mark Oromaner
Sofia, I am so sorry to hear of Howard’s passing. My heart goes out to you and all your family. I wish you comfort and peace.
I wish that I could have seen Howard just one more time! I have known you both just over a year, since I moved back to NJ. It was a pleasure knowing Howard.
Please accept my sincerest condolences.
To the Parish hamily:
Please acccept my condolences on the passing of Hward Parish. For over 25 years I knew Howard at both Jersey City State College and at Hudson County Community College. I always admired Howard for his calm manner and pleasant way in which he approached challenges.
Mark Oromaner
Dear Sofia and family, Our sincere condolences for Howard’s passing. His accomplishments and contributions are amazing. Most sincerely, Rosalie and Arnie Saltzman
My heart is broken with Howie’s passing. The memory of Howie will live in my heart forever. He and Sophia were one of my favorite couples over the last 50 years. He will be missed greatly.
Love, Judy Sloane
From BHS class of 1958 to our last reunion 2/3 months ago. He will forever be missed
Ms. Sophia and family: my deepest condolences to you and family. You and your husband are two of the humblest couples I have ever met in a professional and social setting. I met Dr. Parish 36 year ago at United Way of Hudson County, where I was employed for 28 years. Although highly educated and very professional, it never outweighed his genuine kindness and friendly demeanor. He will be missed.
Howard’s long and illustrious career will not soon be duplicated. His family should be proud of the work he did and the impact he had. May he rest in peace.
Sofia, Howard will always be in my heart, I will be forever grateful for saving my life in
the pool. He was a very special person. Will be missed by so many.
Words never seem efficient enough to support someone who has lost a father, a grandfather or husband. I will pray for grace, patience, love and kindness.
Dear Sophia, Norman and I were so sad to hear of Howard’s passing. He was such a wonderful man. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Lovingly, Norman & Pat MacQueen
Dr. P. changed my life significantly when he convinced me to literally sign on the dotted line to join Rotary. I was proud that he was my Rotary sponsor and it was a privilege to serve the community along with him. He sponsored many members fulfilling the commitment to grow Rotary. He served as the Rotary Club of Jersey City’s membership chair for several years and he was twice named Rotarian of the Year. His invocations at the start of our weekly Rotary meetings were inspirational and legendary. Dr. P. and I often shared our experiences growing up in Jersey City and Bayonne and as dedicated educators at NJCU. We also shared our experiences as residents of Puerto Rico. I learned of Howard’s passing during my holiday trip here in PR, and I regret that I couldn’t make it back in time for this morning’s service. Over the last few days, I have reflected on my conversations with Dr. P. about what it was like to live here as a child. I will remember our conversations and our good times at Rotary meetings, events and conferences fondly. My heart goes out to Mrs. P. Howard’s children, grandchildren, and his entire family. I find comfort in the idea that Howard was welcomed to heaven by my Mom who I lost recently and who I am grateful that Howard got to know and our dear friend and fellow Rotarian Hugo Morales, who Howard also sponsored to join Rotary. I miss you all! Please watch over those you have left behind😔 You are forever in our hearts 💕
Peter and I are incredibly saddened to hear about Howard’s passing. We are devastated by the news and just cry. Howard will be missed. He will never be forgotten. He will continue to live in our hearts and memories, reminding us of the love and joy he brought into our lives. He is one of our best friends who never fails to call and check on us. His laughter, love, and joy touch our lives in a special way. His memory continues to inspire and uplift our spirit. We honor his legacy and cherish the moments we shared, especially with our trips, events and meaningful interactions. He made us laugh so hard when we were in Tenerife. Until now, we still laugh with his stories and jokes. He is such an amazing person and a wonderful friend. We love him so dearly.
Please know, Sofia and your beautiful family, we are here for you at any time. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Take care and be well.
I am so sorry to hear about Howie’s passing… he was a dear friend and caving buddy for many years… he will be missed.
my sympathy to the family. 💔💔
Dear Sophia
We are so saddened to hear of Howie’s Passing. He was a Man bigger than Life & Always Made Us Laugh with his fabulous stories! The Corner Bench At The Pool Will Forever Have A Place in Our Hearts For
Howard!
May You & Your Family Find Peace With Each Coming Day
Cheryl & Donald Complitano
Pineridge
My heart hurts for you Sophia on the passing of your wonderful husband Howard. I never knew of his so many accomplishments in his life, and 61 yrs together. You were so very blessed. I will miss walking in the pool with him and Jerry.I was so glad to have seen him at the Menorah lighting.My prayers are with you and your family for peace and comfort.
Ilene,
I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies to you and your whole family. May memories of happy times with your father bring you comfort and strength at this time. May his memory be for a blessing.
Fondly always.