Ernest C. Parrish, 44, of Adamant Road passed away on August 2nd at Mass General Hospital in Boston after a brief illness. He was surrounded by family during his final minutes and months. Born, December 12, 1974 in Bethesda, Maryland, he was a curious and creative child wth many talents. He loved the water and growing up on the ocean. As a child he could be found in the woods behind his house, playing hockey on the creek with his friends, or boating in the harbor of Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, the town he was raised in. He loved to spend time in the dingy his uncle gave him adventuring to beaches and coastal islands. Family was important to him, even at a young age, and he had many wonderful holidays with his mother, aunt, uncles and cousins. Ernie went on to attend Manchester High School and then High Mowing School in Wilton, NH. At High Mowing he developed a passion for learning and a love for nature and the arts. He carried these passions with him to Goddard College, where he continued to pursue these interests, with a particular emphasis on sustainable agriculture and forestry. After college, Ernie was a horse logger and carpenter, eventually forming his own company, Green Line Builders. Ernies greatest passion was his family. He was a dedicated and devoted father and husband. He met his wife, Lisa, in October 2000 and they spent time sharing a love for skiing/snowboarding, the outdoors, Ira Glass on This American Life, and the Boston Celtics. Ernie enjoyed taking walks in the woods and spending time making mountain bike trails with his children, Ethan and Isabel. Ethan and Ernie spent countless hours raising animals, and planning for upcoming permaculture and farming adventures. Ernies love of art and math were instilled in his daughter Isabel, and they spent hours exploring these areas together. Calais and the surrounding communities benefited from Ernies wholehearted love of the historic architecture of Vermont. His construction projects included renovations of the 19th century Plainfield Town Hall Opera House, the Calais Town Hall and restoration of a portion of the Old West Church steeple, as well as numerous historic residential remodels. He was an engaged member of the Calais Historic Preservation Commission, the Calais Design Advisory Board, the Old West Church Building Committee and served as vice president of the Robinson Sawmill at Kents Corner. He was a meticulous craftsman and very knowledgeable in sustainable design. Ernie made a generous and tangible contribution to the Town of Calais. Ernie leaves his wife, Lisa McCarthy, and children Ethan and Isabel Parrish; his aunt, Carlaine Ober of Kensington, CA; cousins, Molly Ober and family of Lake Tahoe, CA; Melissa Ober and family of Albany, CA; and Jenn Richards and family of Lowell, MA; sister, Jennifer Parrish of Lake Worth, FL; mother-in-law, Karen Gramer and her partner Thomas Ward of East Montpelier; father-in-law, Alan McCarthy and his partner Mary LeBrecque of Isle LaMotte; sister-in-law, Kelly McCarthy and family of Seattle, WA; brother-in-law, Michael McCarthy and family of Torrance, CA; close friend, Jackie Harman of North Montpelier; and many other relatives with whom he held special relationships. Ernie was predeceased by his mother, Dorothy Parrish; father, Ernest Parrish; uncles, Ronald Ober and Charles Richards; and beloved grandmother, Dorothy Richards. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, September 8th at noon at the Old West Church in Calais, VT. A potluck style reception will follow at the Maple Corner Community Center. An additional family memorial will be held at Kirkwood Mountain, CA in February, 2020, to celebrate Ernies love of snowboarding. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ernies memory can be made to the restoration of the Robinson Sawmill at Kents Corner, Calais. Checks can be made to The Robinson Sawmill, PO Box 94, Calais, VT 05648 or online at www.robinsonsawmill.org.