Ben Parker

Ben Parker, 1970-2018, of Sacramento, California, passed away in his sleep on December 25, 2018, due to cardiac arrest. Born in Dannevirke, New Zealand, Ben touched and enriched the lives of so many. He brought his passion for people and rugby around the world, shaping the game across the United States, most recently in Northern California and Sacramento where he resided for the past two decades. Leader, mentor, coach, avid storyteller, and friend to all, Ben gifted us with his bright, passionate life and left us far too soon. Ben will be deeply missed by so many - his wife of seventeen years, Andrea Parker; his mother, Margaret Parker of Christchurch, New Zealand; his siblings, Will (Elle), Dan (Sally), Caroline (Andy) and Jane (Lyndis) and aunts, uncles, cousins and loads of adorable nieces & nephews, all of New Zealand; in-laws, Don & Carlin Bryan, Barb & Mickey, and Michael of California and Oregon; his dogs, and constant companions, George Bailey & Mr. MacBiggie; heaps of dear friends around the world; and the entire rugby community, especially his Sacramento Blackhawks Rugby family. A service to celebrate Ben’s life will be held on Wednesday, January 16, at 1:30 pm at Depot Park in Sacramento California. All are welcome to attend. In true Ben fashion, stories and laughter will be encouraged. Donations in Ben’s memory may be made to the Ben Parker Memorial Project athttps://paypal.me/pools/c/8b45IWnAex. Please share your online condolences and memories on the Blackhawks Facebook page post at: https://www.facebook.com/BlackhawksRugbyClub/posts/1494452277324379