FALMOUTH – James “Sam” Parkhill died Feb. 18, 2022, of complications from lung cancer.

He leaves behind his wife, Judy, of 55 years; along with their three children, Jay, Lauren and Andrew; seven grandchildren, James, Ezra, Ben, Matthew, Tobin, Jeff and Zoe; his sister Gracia; numerous friends made through decades of golf, business and charitable activities, and a never-ending circle of relationships with Dunkin Donuts across New England.

Sam was born in 1937 and his earliest memories were of wartime deprivations. Some might have called him cheap (and did) but he would have said (and did, repeatedly) that he knew the value of money and the importance of setting priorities in life. His priorities were to live with integrity, build strong relationships, and shoot under his age in golf as often as possible.

He adored his wife Judy. He was very supportive and proud of her business and volunteer careers, and she had his back as he found his way from junior lawyer to CEO of The Stackpole Corporation.

Sam made friends for life. His oldest friendships go back to Belmont Hill School and Williams College in the 1950s and in each new environment he found new groups to golf with, sail, ski, talk politics or read books. He continued his involvement with Belmont Hill School by serving on its board of directors for many years. His children remember that he loved to leave to-do lists for them on the kitchen counter, that he was always up for spectating at their sports events no matter how un-spectator-friendly, and that he lived by a strong moral code. “Treat people the way you want to be treated” and “do the right thing even when it’s hard” were common refrains and remain good words to live by.

Sometime around 1970 he decided pop music didn’t appeal to him anymore and that henceforth he would listen only to classical. Never a musician himself, he channeled his classical enthusiasm into support for the Portland Symphony Orchestra as chair of the Board of Directors, and the board of Portland’s Classical Uprising program.

A celebration of his life will be held at Portland Country Club on April 16 at 2 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland.

To view Sam’s memorial page or share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com

Sam would be honored if his friends and family make donations in his name to Portland Symphony Orchestra and Classical Uprising.

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