Justin M. Parody

Justin M. Parody, 48, of Dexter, New York, passed away on September 21, 2025. He lived with a rare and kind spirit that was impossible to forget — equal parts fun-loving, generous, and thoughtful.

Born on April 14, 1977, in Watertown, New York, he was the son of Bernard R. and Jana M. (Monaco) Parody. Justin graduated from General Brown High School in 1995, where he attended BOCES for heavy equipment operation. He went on to graduate at the top of his class from ITT Technical Institute, earning a degree in electronics.

On May 21, 2005, he married his high school sweetheart, Denesha M. Lane, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Watertown. The couple made their home in Dexter, where they raised their three beloved children together. His love for them was as fierce as his spirit, and his pride in his family was evident to all who knew him.

Justin began his career as an electronics technician at Fort Drum, working on helicopter simulators. He later joined National Grid, where he worked for 15 years before returning to Fort Drum, where he was employed at the time of his passing.

A dedicated member of the Sons of the American Legion, Justin enjoyed giving his time in service to others. He found happiness in many places — in the woods and on the water, hunting and fishing, and in the company of animals, especially his beloved squirrel “Eli.” He enjoyed playing the lottery and pull tabs, cheering for his beloved Las Vegas Raiders, supporting his children in their school and sporting events, and spotting the “farmer’s star” in the night sky. He cherished late-night conversations that often wandered into life’s biggest questions.

Justin thrived on connecting with people from all walks of life. He had a gift for making everyone feel seen and heard. His energy was boundless — if he wasn’t moving, he was talking, and more often than not, doing both at the same time. His whirlwind of life, laughter, and zest for living filled every room he entered. He was always rooting for the underdog and never shied away from sharing his opinion — whether you wanted it or not. Those candid, unfiltered words were part of what made him so genuine and unforgettable.

His generosity knew no bounds — whether it was giving away his last crumpled $20 bill for the jukebox, handing over all his pull-tab winnings, or surprising someone with a TV for their dorm room. It was these simple acts of kindness that will be remembered mostand missed by all who had the honor of knowing him.

Justin is survived by his loving wife, Denesha Lane-Parody, and their children: Collin Parody and his companion Maddie Bird of Lakeland, FL; Cohen Parody and his companion Halee Martin; and Ava Parody. He is also survived by his parents, Bernard and Jana Parody of Dexter; his sister and brother-in-law, Jennifer and Ryan Mooney of Dexter; his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Maria Parody of Webster, NY; his brother-in-law, Derek Lane; two sisters-in-law, Danielle Lane; and Tricia and Brian Nortz; and his parents-in-law, Kathy and Denny Lane. He will be deeply missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, friends, and colleagues.

He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Anthony “Joe” Monaco and Sally (Jones) Monaco; his paternal grandparents, Arthur “Art” Parody and Delores “Dea” (Weston) Parody; his maternal aunts, Suzette Cumoletti and Tracy Smith; his paternal uncles, Randy Parody, Michael Parody, and Arthur “Oscar” Parody; and his aunt and godmother, Dani Ganter.

Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Watertown, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Dexter American Legion.

Donations may be made in his memory to Minnie’s Kitty Rescue.

“This is for everybody going through tough times, believe me, been there, done that. But every day above ground is a great day, remember that.”

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