Leslie A. Parshall

1926 - 2017

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
-- Philippians 4:13 (KJV)


COOPERSTOWN - Leslie A. Parshall, 90, of Greenough Road in Toddsville, passed away Sunday afternoon, April 9, 2017, at Focus Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at Otsego.

He was born November 16, 1926 in Saranac Lake, New York, the son of Howard and Gladys (Gowett) Parshall. He first attended a one-room schoolhouse, then continued his education in Cooperstown. 

On August 19, 1948, Les married Lois M. Harvey in Cooperstown. 

A veteran of World War II, Les entered into active service October 30, 1944 and proudly served his country in the United States Navy. Seaman First Class Parshall was involved with the Asiatic Pacific Theatre of Operations and was in combat in the Marshal Islands. Upon receiving his honorable discharge on June 12, 1946, Les returned home and was employed for many years building circuit boards for the UNIVAC division of Sperry Rand Corporation in Utica. During those years he also served as a union arbitrator. After retiring from UNIVAC, he was employed as a painter at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. 

In his leisure, Les enjoyed fishing and camping with his family. 

As a symbol of respect for veterans of the United States Armed Forces, Les erected in 2005, on his property in Toddsville, an Honor Roll of World War II veterans from Otsego County.

Throughout his life, Les had a deep and abiding faith in God, and in his own way served Him many different ways. 

Les is survived by his second wife, Doris Parshall of Norwich and her family; two daughters Judy "Susie" Urbin and husband, John of Lufkin, Texas and Linda Miller of Holland, Texas; three sons, Stephen Parshall and wife, Barbara, of Daleville, Virginia, Thomas Parshall of Franklin, and Carl Parshall and wife, Nancy of Morris; ten grandchildren; many great grandchildren; two brothers-in-law, Merritt Harvey and wife, Elaine of Toddsville, and Donald Harvey and wife, Mary of Milford Center; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his first wife of 47 years, Lois M. Parshall, who died July 8, 1996; a sister, Evelyn Warner; and two brothers, Howard "Sonny" Parshall and Robert Parshall. 

A Funeral Service will be offered at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 14, 2017, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, with Rev. Stephen D. Fournier, pastor of the Milford Center Community Bible Church officiating.

The Service of Committal and Burial with Military Honors will follow in Fly Creek Valley Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Fly Creek.


Family and friends may call and pay their respects at the funeral home on Friday morning one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Hartwick Fire Department Company No. 2, 4877 State Highway 28, Hartwick Seminary, NY 13326.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.