Fonzie Parrish was a central Contra Costa County business fixture for five decades and patriarch of a large, blended family.
Fonzie joined the U.S. Navy near the end of World War II, serving onboard the USS Pine Island. His ship was part of the Battle of Okinawa.
After the war, Fonzie moved to Pittsburg where he managed the Vogue Theater. Following that, he managed the Park Theater in Lafayette and the old El Rey in Walnut Creek. In the early 1970s, he became a Farmers Insurance agent in downtown Orinda. Fonzie was a long-time Oakland A's fan.
He was a long-time member of the Kiwanis Club of Walnut Creek, serving several times as president. For years, he was the club's Christmas season Santa.
Fonzie was preceded in death by his wife "Dean," who slipped into heaven in November 2011.
Fonzie is survived by one brother, Dewey Parrish of Ontario; three children, Kevin Parrish of Stockton, Anita Nyman of Chapmansboro, Tenn., and Jeanette Parrish-Dolph of Concord; and seven loving grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 22, 2014 from 4 to 7pm at the Pittsburg Funeral Chapel. Graveside services will be held Saturday, August 23, at 11am at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Concord. A celebration of his life will be held Sunday, August 24, at 2pm at Saint Matthews Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the charity of your choice.