Alfred Theodore Parrella died quietly and peacefully on Sunday, November 8, 2009 at his home. He was surrounded by his loving wife, devoted step-daughter and Beethoven's Seventh Symphony. He was only two months short of his 89th birthday. Fred was born in New Haven on January 18, 1921, as the fifth child of Alfonso and Maria (Esposito) Parrella. He attended Hillhouse High School and spent four years on full scholarship at Yale, graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1942. He was a registered Professional Engineer in both Massachusetts and Connecticut. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Lt. Commander during World War II and Korea, until 1955, when he settled in Newtown. Most of his professional life was spent at the Farrel Company of Ansonia, where he invented, developed and received patents for over a dozen new mechanisms for roll grinders used in the steel, paper and sugar industries. He traveled all over the world and was a "Who's Who" in Roll Grinder Engineering. After his retirement, Fred joined the International Executive Service Corps and spent several months consulting in the Czech Republic and in Hungary after the Iron Curtain fell. He also spent several years in his retirement as a Literacy Volunteer. Fred Parrella was a life-long opera lover, musician and singer. He was a member of the first Newtown Choral Society and a founder of the Newtown Madrigal Singers and The Newtown Friends of Music. He was active in the Newtown Congregational Church, Rotary Club, Newtown Men's Literary and Social Club, and the Newtown's Boys' Club. Mr. Parrella was pre-deceased by his brothers, Louis Parrella, MD and Gioachino Parrella, MD; and his two sisters, Lina and Ida. He is survived by his wife, Ellen; step-children, George, Jim and Kaia Fahrenholz; sister-in-law, Lucy Parrella; nephews, John and David Parrella; nieces, Patricia Parrella Allen, Pamela Parrella, Licia Parrella Britton; six great-nieces and nephews; and three great-great-nephews. A celebration of his life will be held 11:30am Saturday November 21, 2009 at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, Newtown. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to Newtown Friends of Music, P O Box 295, Newtown CT 06470-0295. Honan Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

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