John "JJ" Parke of Shrewsbury passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones August 15th, 2019 at UMass Medical Center.

Leaving those he loved too soon, JJ was only 44 years young and will be remembered for his big heart, always lending a helping hand to those around him. Born in Worcester, John attended South High school and graduated in 1993, and spent most of his years in Shrewsbury with his parents and grandmother, Pelagia Michalak who had passed in 2015.

Having made many close friends throughout the years, John shared many laughs and good times with many. The most important of those friends was a lifelong friend and the mother of his two children; Melissa Albin. They met at a young age and together they had two little girls, Alyssa and Hannah, of who they were so proud.

John had a passion for helping others and was a handy-man at heart. Always making himself available to anyone in need, whether it was landscaping, painting, or fixing things, his friends could always count on him. Continuing to give even after he passed away, as he was an organ donor, JJ was able to help save the life of five people, something of which he would have been so happy.

Always committed and not afraid to work hard to help others, more important that this was his love for his grandson, Hunter M. Brescia. Together, they spent their days and many evenings fishing, playing, doing yard work together, and laughing. He spent time teaching his grandson about anything that he could, resulting in such a special bond and simply loved spending time with him.

John is survived by his loving parents Guy and Christine Wills of Shrewsbury; his oldest daughter Alyssa Brescia, Holden, youngest daughter Hannah Parke of Shrewsbury; mother of his two daughters, Melissa Albin of Shrewsbury; his grandson Hunter M. Brescia of Holden; son-law Alec Brescia, Holden; one aunt, Mary Paradise, Spencer; cousins Jason Cronin of Spencer, James Paradise of Rochdale, Stephanie Paradise of Daytona, FL, and Michael Michalak of Shrewsbury.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with JJ’s family on Saturday, August 24, 2019 between the hours of 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury. A Funeral Mass will follow at 12:00 PM at St. Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Hannah Parke Fund to help Hannah with her future. Checks need to be addressed to Hannah Parke, c/o DCU Bank, 225 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, MA 01604.