Parker and Mario
Parker grew up in Philadelphia. One of his earliest memories is of the summer gatherings his grandfather would host at his beach house for his large extended family. “On Sundays, all of the uncles would make ice cream,” Parker recalls. “They’d use whatever was in season — strawberries in June, peaches in August. It tasted so fresh and simple, unlike anything you can find now.”
Life’s Work
When Parker finished high school, he enlisted in the Navy. He served as a radio operator during World War II. When the war ended, he enrolled as an undergraduate at Wesleyan University, where he discovered his passion for theater.
“In college, I made sets, acted, wrote plays, directed, ushered,” Parker says. “I did anything I could to be close to the theater. I was hooked.” He was the first graduate of Wesleyan to receive his bachelor’s degree in theater. In recognition of this and his other achievements, Wesleyan awarded Parker the Distinguished Alumni Award and created a theater scholarship in his honor.
He continued his education at Fordham University, where he received his master’s in fine arts. He then moved to Manhattan to try to make it as an actor. “I went to a lot of auditions, and I was cast in a few roles,” Parker recalls. “But to make ends meet, I needed a day job.” He found a job working as a switchboard operator for a theater agency. “It was like being a radio operator in the Navy, only I was working with all women and there was a lot more pressure.”
Led by the legendary theater agent Audrey Wood, the agency represented Tennessee Williams, William Inge, and Arthur Miller, among other luminaries. Then at an office cocktail party, Parker met Ms. Wood. “Some things in my life have felt almost mystical in the way that they’ve worked out. Meeting Audrey was one of these things.”
“We got to talking, and she told me the first rule of show business is to get your foot in the door,” Parker says. “To my surprise, she offered me a job as her assistant. She said the pay would be $3 a week, which was minimum wage at the time.” Working for Ms. Wood launched Parker’s fifty-year career as an agent representing playwrights and directors. “I became an agent because I love plays and I love helping people,” Parker says. “It was absorbing, demanding, and wonderful — my true life’s work.”
Parker’s clients collectively won three Pulitzer Prizes, twelve Tony Awards, and numerous Obies, Emmys, and other awards. Some of the plays and musicals that Parker helped bring into production include Once Upon A Mattress, Tommy, and Ragtime. His clients included Scott Ellis, Frank Galati, and Terrence McNally, among others. He retired from the William Morris Agency, where he worked for most of his career, in 2010.
Transitions
After retirement, Parker remained active in the community, serving as a mentor to Wesleyan students and supporting nonprofit organizations, including the Fire Island Pines Arts Project. Then in 2009, he suffered a mild stroke.
After Parker’s condition stabilized, the hospital referred him to a home care agency to support his recovery. “I’ve always been a very independent person,” Parker says. “I pride myself on that. So you can imagine how I felt when I suddenly needed help with basic things, like getting out of bed and walking my dog Rosie.”
“It didn’t help that I had very little in common with many of the aides the agency sent,” Parker says. “Many of them were wonderful people. But we had nothing to talk about all day. And some of them were just bossy. I couldn’t get them to listen to me.” So as soon as Parker felt strong enough, he was ready to end service with the agency. “I was ready to live by myself again,” Parker says. “But my niece, whom I’m very close to, was worried about me. She thought I needed someone else around to help out.”
A Different Approach
Around that time, Parker learned about Renewal Memory Partners through SAGE, a nonprofit organization. “My friend at SAGE spoke highly of Renewal especially for its emphasis on companion care and diversity. So I decided to give the organization a call.”
Parker met with a Care Manager from Renewal for an assessment. “The questions the Care Manager asked me were very different from the ones the agencies asked. The conversation was about me — who I am, what I think I need. It was like a breath of fresh air.”
After completing his initial assessment, the Care Manager introduced Parker to Mario, a Care Partner. “I was amazed by how much we have in common,” Parker says. “I remember being in Mario’s shoes when I was starting out as an actor in New York.”
“I was inspired by Parker’s story,” Mario recalls. “It’s been a real pleasure working with him, and learning from him.”
Originally from outside the city, Mario moved to New York three years ago to pursue his interest in acting. He’s performed in a variety of productions at venues including the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Most recently, he played the role of Adolfo Pirelli in a production of Sweeney Todd showing at the Count Basie Theatre.
But just like Parker in the fifties, Mario needed a day job. When presented with the opportunity to join Renewal Memory Partners, he knew it was the right fit. “For several years I was a family caregiver, so becoming a Care Partner was second nature to me.”
He completed training on providing long-term care for seniors and people with cognitive and physical impairments. “In addition to acting, working in health care has always been another interest of mine,” he says. “As an artist, I put my heart and soul into everything I do. Between acting and caregiving, I’m blessed to have work I’m truly passionate about.”
Mario has been meeting with Parker three times each week. They go on walks together, often bringing Parker’s dog Rosie. “My doctors have said exercise is important, and I enjoy having someone to walk with,” Parker says.
Mario also accompanies Parker on trips to the grocery store, where Mario helps Parker manage his diabetes by making healthy food choices. “The important thing is to partner with people you care for, not tell them what to do,” Mario says.
Mario also reminds Parker to take medications when they are together. “It can be a lot to keep track of,” Parker says. When Parker runs low on medications, Mario will sometimes escort him to the pharmacist for refills.
Parker and Mario also spend time together in Parker’s apartment, where Mario occasionally helps with light housekeeping and other errands. “I don’t think of it as a job,” Mario says. “We enjoy spending time together, talking about theater and whatever’s going on in the world. Some of the best advice I’ve gotten has been from Parker.”
“I can’t say enough how wonderful my experience with Mario has been,” Parker says. “I hope others have as much luck as I have if they find themselves needing some help.”