Andrew Parks Obituary

Andrew Cook Parks, age 68, of Centreville, MD, passed away Sunday, March 20, 2022, at Compass Hospice in Centreville. Mr. Parks was born on December 28, 1953 in Baltimore to the late Clarence C. Parks and the late Evelyn D. Parks (nee Manger) of Randallstown and Eldersburg, MD. Andy, as he was known to family, friends, and radio listeners, graduated from Randallstown Senior High School in 1971, and would go on to graduate from The Broadcasting Institute of Maryland. Andy grew up working in the family business, Tangier Crab House, in Randallstown, and assisted in opening a second restaurant in Eldersburg before launching a successful four-decade career in broadcasting. Andy lifted off mornings and afternoons from Carroll County Regional Airport, Westminster, MD, to report Washington, DC, traffic for a number of those years, co-hosted The Grandy and Andy Show on WMAL, produced commercial advertisements from his home studio, and was Director of Radio Broadcasting for The Washington Times. Andy hosted the program Andy Parks, Live from the Washington Times, and most recently, the podcast, Politically Unstable, also for The Washington Times. He fully appreciated the friendships made through those years. Andy was recognized for outstanding public service numerous times by military, government, and community groups. He assisted in raising significant funds for Children's Hospital, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Fisher House Foundation and other worthy causes. Andy earned numerous industry awards throughout his career and twice was a finalist for the National Association of Broadcasters' Marconi award for Major Market Personality of the Year in both 2007 and 2008. Golf was Andy's favorite pastime, made all the more enjoyable by his regular golfing buddies in Pennsylvania. Laughter accompanied his quick wit and kind heart wherever he went, and he found immeasurable joy in his children and grandchildren. Andrew is survived by his loving wife Patricia L. Parks (nee Mitzel), daughter Jennifer and husband, Matt Boone, and granddaughter Autumn Boone of Littlestown, PA; son Drew and wife Mandy Parks, and grandsons Brayden and Bryce, of Union Bridge, MD. In addition, Mr. Parks is survived by his sister Jane G. Mannel and husband Robert of Church Hill, TN, and brother Edward W. Parks of Westminster, MD. Andrew was predeceased by his brother William D. Parks (wife Sandra). Also surviving are brother-in-law Melville R. Mitzel, Jr. (wife Ruthann) of Stevensville, MD and brother-in-law William S. Mitzel (wife Kim) of Westminster, MD. The family will receive visitors on Monday March 28th from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Burrier-Queen Funeral Home & Crematory, PA, 1212 West Old Liberty Road in Sykesville, MD. Family and friends are invited to gather to remember Andy for a short service at 7:00 PM. Interment at Lake View Memorial Park will be private. In lieu of flowers or cards, those desiring may make contributions to Mount Airy Christian Academy at 16700 Old Frederick Rd. Mount Airy, MD 21771. www.macamd.org Arrangements made by: Burrier-Queen Funeral Home & Crematory, PA, online condolences to www.burrier-queen.com.