John Maxwell Parsons

With profound sadness, we declare that John Maxwell Parsons (21 January 1944 – 02 March 2023), surfed his last whirlpool into that good night, seeking Carlos Castaneda and Captain Cook to watch Venus transit the Sun at Tahiti. A Poet, tireless promoter, entertaining raconteur, loving family member, ever loyal friend, Newfoundland patriot and a latter day templar knight.

A true Renaissance man, born to John (Jack) and Gladys Parsons (nee Hardy) of Parsons Harbour, Newfoundland whom instilled a great historical reverence for the heritage of English and French Huguenot (LaFosse) Newfoundland livyer ancestors. Resemblance to grandfather “Fid” Parsons often jogged dim memories of remaining livyers when he visited the south coast as a young man with Cabot Martin. John grew up in St. John’s and often accompanied older brother Rex to Central Newfoundland as apprentice on Engineering projects, where in true form he also communed with the woods, locals and ghosts of the Beothuk. At Rex’s encouragement, he graduated with a Diploma in Engineering from MUN where he, Cabot Martin, Neil Murray and Noel Dinn forged deep bonds before continuing to Nova Scotia Technical College.

Not finding his true quest, he left Tech in February only a few months before graduation. He pursued eclectic jobs from selling encyclopedias that he voraciously read before knocking on doors, to water and sewage plants. Despite his growing success at Degrémont with 18 months of sales, a UK-based manager made comments with overtones equating that he was there to educate the unwashed and illiterate masses in the Colonies. John, like brother Rex, did not suffer fools who insulted Newfoundlanders. Choice words later, John quit and was walking the streets seeking his next challenge. He quickly landed a job on the Drill Rig SEDCO ‘I’, progressing to Barge Engineer on the ‘H’. Being responsible for safety, John successfully turned the ‘H’ from having the worst safety record in the fleet to having the best record. John later inculcated that culture of safety into the Petroleum Directorate that endures today.

When Bill Clements, SEDCO founder and WWII Veteran came to St. John’s, before becoming Governor of Texas, John’s boss’ order was “go get Bill in the Eldorado”, a Custom Cadillac he had bought from Anthony Tooton’s estate. Leaving the airport with Bill and the late “Big Ed” Weiterman riding shotgun, they made a beeline for the Crow’s Nest Officer’s Club, as Bill had heard many stories about “Newfie-John”; then onto Freddy’s, Dirty Dicks and Woodstock Colonial Inn. John was a true ‘Hail Fellow Well Met’ with all from corner boys to movers and shakers, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who had the pleasure to get to know him. When returning Bill to the airport, he thanked John and said that John had made a lasting impression on him and gave him an experience in Newfoundland that he would never forget.

Back in 1975 while drilling off Spain, a freak H2S exposure left indelible marks on John’s vision and respiratory health but not his indominable spirit. While recuperating in St. John’s, he, Neil Murray and Noel Dinn reconnected over traditional music. John had been offered a shore-based role back in Spain but before he could return to enjoy tapas with his beloved Catalans in Barcelona or commune at Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia, Noel asked John to be Figgy Duff’s Manager. The late Art Stoyles corrected John in the 90’s, saying he was their promoter as managing a traditional folk band with such energetic and talented members was like herding cats. On a few occasions, with the band safely housed and no more room at the Inn, John would selflessly go without. Many have remained silent while deserved credit is due to John for his tireless promotion and management of Figgy Duff outside Newfoundland as he used up all his oilfield savings.

In 1981 a chance meeting with former workmate Doug Sellars raised high concerns about lax offshore safety. John, by formal letter, repeatedly implored the Petroleum Directorate to investigate. This dogged effort left a deep bureaucratic wound after the Ocean Ranger later sank. John stepped down as Figgy Duff’s promoter/manager when he was asked to take part in the Ocean Ranger investigation. He stayed through the inquiry into the sinking and became great friends with Justice T. Alex Hickman.

John left the Directorate as Cabot Martin left Government and together they were involved in everything from NIFA (Newfoundland Inshore Fishery Association), promoting Deer Lake Oil and Gas and mineral exploration, and the Oil Finders Club. He held court at the watering holes of The Republic and Christians. John was devastated when Cabot passed suddenly last September and his sustained grief magnified the residual health effects from H2S exposure and his health slowly declined until a brief illness struck him down last week.

John was a man of self-sacrifice and reflection. Although he worked tirelessly at whatever he did and sacrificed much, friends have heard John admit he regretted not doing more to promote Figgy Duff having left the band under the pressure of obligation to assist in the Ocean Ranger investigation and also not returning to live, even for a little while, in his beloved Barcelona.

Predeceased by his parents, brother Rex and Rex’s soulmate Genevieve, plus his closest friends; Neil Murray, Noel Dinn, Frank Hearn and Cabot Martin. John is survived and fondly remembered by his sister Joan Bowler (Paul) in Victoria, BC, nephew Robert Parsons (Gale), niece Janet Parsons Davidson (Eric), niece Laura Windrim (David), and many grand-nephews and nieces. John had deep affection and great appreciation for the remaining members of the ‘Oil Finders Club’ and his dear friends Elaine Driessen, Bren Fahey, Patrick Laracy, Desmond McGrath, Elisabeth Mouland, Patrick O’Neil, Carl Schofield and far too many to name.

John experienced the divine while trouting in Mahers and communing with dragonflies. A celebration of John’s life will be held this coming summer.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends humbly request that a donation be made in John’s name to either of the MUN scholarships for The Neil Murray Graduate Research Award in Folklore and/or The Cabot Martin Award for Research in Regional Policy & Development or a charity of one’s choice.

“What I know of the divine science and holy scripture, I learned in the woods and fields” – Bernard of Clairvaux