Trot Insider has learned that Michael Parisi, owner and general manager of White Birch Farm in Allentown, N.J. passed away on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the age of 51.
White Birch, founded by the late Joe and Marie Parisi, is an 800-acre facility in Allentown, NJ, is home to nearly 100 broodmares and also serves as one of the premier training centers in Central New Jersey.
White Birch Farm was honoured as the Breeder of the Year by the United States Harness Writers Association in both 2012 and 2013. In 2013, the selection was unanimous as the farm bred both Pacer of the Year Captaintreacherous and Horse of the Year Bee A Magician.
Both of the 2013 honorees as Broodmares of the Year are owned by White Birch – trotting mare Beehive [dam of Bee A Magician] and pacing mare Worldly Treasure [dam of Captaintreacherous].
The Breeders Committee of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey honoured White Birch Farms as New Jersey Breeder of the Year three times: 2004, 2011 and 2013.
The White Birch Hall of Fame also includes triple millionaire Darlins Delight, $2.3 million earner My Little Dragon, as well as millionaires Worldly Beauty, Island Fantasy and Hot Lead.
In addition to the breeding facility, White Birch offers a training center with 11 barns and housing for 300 horses.
Visitation for Michael Parisi will take place on Friday, Dec. 11 from 2:00 - 5:00 and 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. at Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY (718-651-3535). Funeral Mass will follow on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 10:30 A.M., Transfiguration Church, 64-14 Clinton Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378, with interment at St. John's Cemetery, 80-01 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village, NY 11379.
Donations can be made to the following organizations in memory of Michael Parisi. Kindly include “In Memory of Michael Parisi” on any donations. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame
240 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 294-6330
Standardbred Retirement Foundation
353 Sweetmans Lane, Millstone Township, NJ 08535
(732) 446-4422
Or donate through Paypal – www.adoptahorse.org
Harness Horse Youth Foundation
16575 Carey Road, Westfield, IN 46074
(317) 867-5877
Or donate through the Paypal – www.hhyf.org
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
PO Box 64348, St. Paul, MN 55164-9677
All proceeds will be used to provide patient aid/scholarships for youth at Tribeca 12, New York, NY
http://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/treatment/locations/tribeca
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Michael Parisi.
(with files from SBOANJ)
So,so very sad.
So,so very sad.
RIP Michael :(
RIP Michael :(