Brad Parkins

Brad Parkins, 53 of Hinsdale, IL, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family after a 34-month journey with brain cancer.  

Brad grew up in Whitefish Bay, WI, and proudly attended Richards Elementary (to which he would always add "Home of the Tigers!") and Whitefish Bay High School ("Home of the Blue Dukes!"). Whitefish Bay was and will truly always be his happy place as it was a source of great joy for him throughout his life. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire alongside lifelong dear friends, Brad went on to have an incredible Sales and Marketing career in the higher education publishing industry. Brad spent most of his illustrious professional life at Pearson Education, where he was widely respected and admired for his character, authenticity, and leadership. Throughout his career, Brad received many accolades including the Buffalo Award, Marketing Manager of the Year, Product Team of the Year, First Edition of the Year Award, the Discipline Achievement Award, Revision of the Year, and multiple Marketing Superstar Awards. Brad also successively achieved his target year after year as a Sales Representative. 

Brad's defining roles were husband to Jen, his wife of 20 years, and father to his two children: Katherine "Katie," 19, and Jack, 17.  As a husband and father, Brad filled their lives with belly laughs, all-encompassing love, unwavering support, genuine kindness, and countless days and nights filled with cheering on the Green Bay Packers, with fond memories of full-face paint and wigs included. Together, as a family, they learned that the most beautiful moments were spent right at home snuggled on the couch.

Preceded in death by his father Thomas (Patti Levin) Parkins, he lives on in the hearts of his wife Jen, children Katie and Jack, Mother Ann Parkins (James) Magestro, brother Daniel (Stephanie) Parkins, sister Megan (Adam) Hendrickson and sister Amy (Jack Johnson) Parkins, many nieces, nephews, and cousins, countless incredible friends, and colleagues as well as all whose lives he touched with his big-hearted personality, quick wit, and charm.   

A memorial service will be held in his honor on Thursday, April 20th at 4:30 pm at Pilot Project Brewing, 1130 N. Ninth St. Milwaukee, WI, followed by a reception and celebration of his truly beautiful life filled with love and laughter.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Institute at Northwestern University  www.nm.org/BradParkins

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