Ren Parziale

Reynolds Anthony Parziale was born in The Bronx, New York, son of Nicholas Parziale and Benita Paglia, on May 19, 1938. He died March 2, 2024, in Jefferson County, WV.

Ren Parziale had a deep love for family, books, travel, history and the arts. He liked nothing more than being around family, friends, a nice glass of wine, a delicious meal, and laughter. Ren’s infectious smile embraced you, and he gave his full attention when talking to you. He led a full, rich life and leaves a legacy of fine craftsmanship and pottery-making in the tradition of American potters.

Ren attended Bishop Dubois High School, and was president of his 1956 graduating class. He attended Iona College (University) where he received a BA in History and Political Science in 1959. Later he would say, “Given the chance, I would enroll in a class taught by Jesuits.” Ever resourceful, he lived, not on campus, but on a boat at the New Rochelle Yacht Club, in return for pumping the bilge.

While in college, Ren also joined the US Marine Corps Reserves. He completed Platoon Leaders Class, Quantico, VA, graduated as First Lieutenant 1962, and was appointed Captain USMC Reserve 1965. In 1970, at the completion of his service, he was honorably discharged as Captain, 8th Marine MTBn, Camp Lejeune NC.

While on active duty, Ren was stationed on Okinawa, where his life interest took a pivot; he discovered the island’s rich tradition of pottery making. After returning stateside, he enrolled at Catholic University with the goal of a Master’s degree in ceramics and kiln construction, studying under Prof. Alexander Giampietro.

Ren established a studio on C St. NE in Washington, DC, built a kiln, and began making pots on a wheel, while spending time with Alexandria, VA-based potters Peter Pettis and Harold Guilland. He began an artist-in-residence program at the fledgling Anacostia Neighborhood Museum under the stewardship of John Kinard, Director. Ren exhibited his pots in galleries in Georgetown and on Capitol Hill. While working for The National Park Service ‘Summer in the Parks’ program, Ren was asked to establish a studio at Harpers Ferry National Park, WV.

Building high temperature pottery kilns was Ren’s passion. In the early 1970s, gaining a reputation for his knowledge of kiln construction, he was commissioned to build kilns for Catoctin Mountain State Park, MD, Shepherd College (University), Shepherdstown WV,

Haystack Mountain School for Crafts, Deer Isle, ME, and a number of kilns for individual potters. He met his future wife, Pam, while building a kiln for a potter in Falls Church, VA.

In 1972, Ren and Pam chose to build their own studio, Sycamore Pottery, in Kearneysville, WV, where they worked together for 54 years and were successful in making a living through their art and craft. From 1974 to 1976, Kenneth Matheson worked in their pottery–the only apprentice they ever had–and has been like a son to Ren over the subsequent decades.

Sycamore Pottery has been exhibited throughout the country in museums, galleries, and craft shows. The couple were founding members of the Over The Mountain Studio Tour in Jefferson County, WV, and exhibited at the Mountain Heritage Arts and Crafts Festival in Harpers Ferry, WV, for over forty years. In 2016, they were honored with the Governor’s Award for the Arts, for their decades supporting the arts in West Virginia and the mission of the WV Division of Culture and History.

Ren had an insatiable curiosity, was eager to explore ideas, and meet new people. After an initial trip to Italy gifted to them by their children for their 25th wedding anniversary, their trips became annual events. Ren and Pam traveled the length and breadth of Italy, from Albissole, Liguria, to Caltigirone, Sicily, meeting potters, ceramic artists, violin makers, and artists of every kind imaginable. Over 25 years of travel, they made friends in every Italian province.

He was a 40-year member of his Shepherdstown, WV Library book group. An avid reader of many genres, Ren always had a stack of books nearby. With a special interest in history, he would eagerly converse about 20th century events that shaped our current world.

Ren is survived by his wife of 54 years, Pamela Parziale, his children Missie Duffy, Renny Parziale Jr., Nolan Stokes, and Mariya Curry, his in-laws, John Duffy, Kathy Harman-Stokes, Beth Parziale, his grandchildren, Pat Duffy, Nina Parziale, Caroline Parziale, Ryker Stokes, Lee Stokes, and Sam Curry.

The family asks that you support your local library in Ren’s memory. A memorial service is being planned by the family. Riposa in pace.