Tributes paid to one of region's oldest men who died at 105
One of the region's oldest men, who worked until he was 95 years old, has died at the age of 105 – less than a month before his birthday.
Tributes were today paid to Ira Parsonage, who had 21 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, 51 great-great grandchildren and eight great-great-great grandchildren.
Mr Parsonage was born in Coseley during the reign of Edward VII and worked at Ettingshall-based manufacturer John Thompson for more than 50 years before taking up decorating and gardening jobs.
He had lived at Nelson Mandela House in Whitburn Close, Pendeford, for the last six years and died at New Cross Hospital on August 27.
Kathleen Kane, assistant residential care manager at Nelson Mandela House, said: "Ira was much-loved by everyone at Nelson Mandela House and he will be very sadly missed."
"He had some wonderful times with us and he was the life and soul of the party. He would always join in with activities and he particularly enjoyed our music nights. He would love to tap his feet to music from rock 'n' roll and jazz right through to the pop music of today."
Although Mr Parsonage did not have any biological children of his own, he acquired a spectacular family tree through his marriage to his late wife of 40 years Sarah, who had four children when they wed in 1947. They were happily married until she died in 1987 at the age of 88.
Great-granddaughter Sally Clayton said: "My great-grandfather was a fantastic man. He used to do gardening for what he called the old folk while at the home."
His funeral will be held on September 18, which would have been his 106th birthday. It commences from 12pm at Bushbury Crematorium.
Leave your tributes to Ira Parsonage in the comments below:
