Michael Parkes, WNY jewelry store owner and community leader, dead at 72

WEST NEW YORK — Michael Parkes, a prominent West New York businessman and community leader, died yesterday. He was 72.
A veteran of the National Guard, Parkes was a lifelong West New York resident who served as the president of the town’s Chamber of Commerce as well as the deputy director of its Urban Enterprise Zone. He owned Michael’s Jewelers on Bergenline Avenue for more than 40 years.
He also sponsored a West New York Little League team.
Parkes is survived by his wife Bertha; his brother Ronald and his wife Gail; uncle of Ronald, Michael, Timothy, Brian; and many grand nieces and grand nephews.
Visitation will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 9, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Vainieri Funeral Home, and a funeral will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. Parkes will be buried in the George Washington Cemetery in Paramus.