Gregory J. Parks, a North Country native and formerly of Gouverneur, died April 4, 2024 in Northridge, California. He was 72 years old.
Greg’s parents, Worth and Helen (Johnston) Parks, moved the family to Gouverneur from Antwerp in 1954. Greg attended East Side Elementary School, Gouverneur Junior High and Senior High Schools, and graduated in 1969. He excelled academically and played both jayvee and varsity football. He was a proud Eagle Scout and member of the First Methodist Church. He attended the University of Rochester where he played tennis, sang in the Glee Club, and received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1973. His first job post-college was with Westinghouse, and this took him to southern California where he met Karen Kaplan, his future wife. He later worked for Intel Corporation as an engineering sales representative. While with Intel he received a master’s degree in engineering management at UCLA, and achieved licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE). He capped his career with Marcus and Millichap, a prominent North American real estate investment firm, in commercial real estate sales.
Greg is survived by a daughter, Kimberly Malys of Simi Valley CA, a son, Brian Parks of Oakland CA, their mother and his ex-wife, Karen Parks of Tarzana CA, a brother, Tom Parks of Albuquerque NM, two grandchildren, Matthew and Christopher Malys, and several cousins.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Gouverneur First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 157, Gouverneur, NY 13642.