Carlyle S. Parsons, 76, Was Educator, Athlete

Carlyle S. Parsons of Sharon, a former longtime seasonal resident of Oak Bluffs, died on Jan. 1 at Caritas Norwood Hospital. He was 76.

Born in Boston, he was graduated in 1942 from Boston Latin High School, where he was a star track runner. He received a track scholarship to Boston College, from which he earned a bachelor's degree.

Mr. Parsons served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. After serving in the Army, he attained a master's degree from Boston College. He was employed as a social worker with the Big Brother Association in Boston and Philadelphia and with the Massachusetts Dept. of Mental Health from 1964 to 1968.

In 1968, he became a social worker for the Brookline public schools, and was employed there until his retirement in 1995. He was also coach of the Brookline High School girls' track team. He was inducted into the Boston Latin and Brookline High School halls of fame.

Mr. Parsons had been a resident of Sharon for the past 37 years, and was active there as a basketball coach for Sharon Youth Recreation. He was a supporter of the Special Olympics and an avid track and field fan, attending many Olympics and Special Olympics events.

He is survived by his wife, Annie Hayes Parsons; his son, David Parsons of Saginaw, Mich.; a daughter, Stephanie Parsons of Malden; his sisters, Helen Gaines of Boston and Phyllis Burgess of Hollis, N.Y., and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Sharon on Monday, Jan. 6. Interment was in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

Donations in Mr. Parsons' memory may be made to the New England Sinai Hospital Development Dept., c/o Richard Solomon, 150 York street, Stoughton, MA 02072.