George Robert Parker, 66, former City Hall groundskeeper

IF YOU encountered George Parker on the street, you could expect a big hello - even if you didn't have the faintest idea who he was.

It didn't matter. George knew no strangers. Everyone was his pal. As for the people he knew, there was nothing he wouldn't do for them.

George Robert Parker, a former city employee who washed windows and did landscaping around City Hall, a singer and harmonica player who graced his church choirs with his musical talents, a driver who saw to it that senior citizens got their medicine and made their doctors' appointments, and a devoted family man, died July 15. He was 66 and lived in West Philadelphia.

George died of liver failure while undergoing treatment for a heart condition.

Although he was born in Keller, Va., he grew up in the 55th Street and Lansdowne Avenue neighborhood, part of the tight-knit community of folk who always looked out for one another.

There is even a Lansdowne Avenue Reunion Committee.

Another mainstay of that neighborhood was Shirley Jean Waites-Howard, a teacher and social worker, who knew George when he was a handsome bodybuilder.

"He had a big chest and a big heart," she said. "He was built like a bodybuilder, but loved like a teddy bear. He was a friend to all who knew him."

George's bass baritone voice was even heard in Germany. While serving in Germany with the Army in the '70s, George sang for a time with a German band.

He favored gospel, but could also sing R&B.

"He was very outgoing," said his brother, Michael McLendon. "He talked to everyone. He was very loving and caring, very giving. If there was something you needed, he was right there for you."

One of his pals was the Rev. James Allen Sr., pastor of his church, Vine Memorial Baptist. They would be seen together, strolling the street, no doubt talking about religion.

"He and his pastor would eat at a diner at 56th Street and Lancaster Avenue, his favorite eating place, and he insisted on introducing everyone to the pastor," his brother said.

George had a number of jobs over the years, including with the city, at a meat packing plant in South Philadelphia, and as a delivery man for a furniture company.

He was born in Virginia to Margaret P. McLendon and George Robert Bagwell, but he was raised by Hubert Lee McLendon. After the family moved to Philadelphia, he attended Shoemaker Junior High School and graduated from Overbrook High School in 1967.

While at Overbrook, he played football and sang in the school play, "Guys and Dolls."

He sang and played the harmonica for the Vine Memorial Church Men's Choir and Inspirational Choir.

"He had eight harmonicas," his brother said. "I never knew there was a harmonica for every musical note. He had them."

In his later years, while suffering a partial disability with back problems stemming from an Army injury, George ran a taxi service for the elderly.

"His clientele were senior citizens," his brother said. "He took them to appointments with their doctors and shopping trips," Michael said. "He got his customers through word-of-mouth."

Besides his brother, he is survived by his mother; two daughters, Aisha and Taquana Parker; his ex-wife, Cassandra Parker; and two grandchildren.

Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Vine Memorial Baptist Church, 56th Street and Girard Avenue. Friends may call at 9 a.m.