Obituary of Sheldon T. Parrish

On Friday December 30, 2016, Sheldon “Crusher” Parrish departed this life and was received in the Arms of the Lord, after a long struggle with his health at the Nassau County Medical Center. He was the first of three sons born on November 22, 1958 to the late Joe Dock and Ernestine Parrish in Queens, New York. At the age of 10, the family moved to Roosevelt, New York where he played youth sports under the P. B. C. organization and won numerous honors both academically and athletically as a Rough Rider in the Roosevelt Public School System. He also accepted Christ at a young age and became an active member of the Mallette Ensemble, as a Drummer, at the Greater Second Baptist Church in Freeport. Sheldon graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1976 and received a Division 1 scholarship to play football at Colgate University. After graduating from Colgate in 1981, he returned to Roosevelt and began as a substitute teacher and coach for the Rough Riders. He coached baseball, football, tennis and basketball and began working in the Business Department in the Roosevelt School District. Sheldon has always been a winning coach and educator on and off the field as he has inspired, nurtured and guided many students, players and colleagues. In 2005, Sheldon began to struggle with health issues. With his health declining, he continued to work tirelessly with groups and individuals within the community. Sheldon began to study the history of Roosevelt, which led to his first book called “One Square Mile”, which was later followed by “Beyond the Wishing Well”, and “Bleeding Gold and Blue”. He honored his friend Raymond Mattry with the “Ray Mat” basketball tournament for a number of years along with other events through the Chamber of Commerce, Public Library and the American Legion. Sheldon worked tirelessly to demand that Roosevelt receive quality services in our community from the political arena for both youth and adults. Among his recent efforts was a collaborative with the American Legion to raise funds for the first statue in Roosevelt. The statue of Brigadier General George A. Jones stands proudly on the lawn of our Post Office. At the ceremony to present the statue to the community, you can see the pride he had not only of this accomplishment but knowing that he made yet another positive contribution to Roosevelt. His last endeavor was the dedication of the tennis court at Rev. Mackey Park to long time coach, friend and mentor, Ms. Emily Moore. Sheldon’s first love was to cook which he was famous from New York to South Carolina for his Seafood Gumbo. He also loved to fish, watch sports and communicate through social media. He leaves to mourn his only child (Sir Damon) and grandson (Noah) of Springfield, Massachusetts, his two brothers (Terence) and (Todd), two sisters- in –law (Gloria) and (Jamie), Two nieces (Toddasia) and (Alexus), Two nephews (Tasheem) and (Marcus) and a great- nephew (Kaylen) all of Roosevelt, New York, his Godson (Domar Long) of Springfield, Massachusetts, his God Parents Dorothy and Leroy Bryant, Great-Aunts and Uncles, a host of cousins and a multitude of friends, students and players that love him dearly. “Coach P” may be remembered by his players while running many laps in practice as he said, “It’s hard but its fair” Sheldon lived his life and served his community by the same phrase “It’s hard but Its’s Fair”