Maybe you know that Ren Parziale used to love to get his hair cut in a barber shop in a little village in Italy. I assume the barbers there were friendly to Ren because his ancestors used to live in that village. They felt like they knew him, and he felt like he knew them. I imagine the place, Ren in an old barber’s chair, practicing his Italian, feeling welcome as if he were family. Maybe this was it, he was family. Just like he was a part of our community, here in West Virginia, part of our family in Jefferson County.
Dear Ren passed away some weeks ago, when daffodils first popped open to show their yellow faces to the world, and the budding branches reached for the sky. When the clay of the earth shifted with an unseen life we humans cannot know or comprehend. It’s all so tiny, all too huge, not in our time cycle.
Here, in these words, we send love from all that knew of Ren, and all that knew him well.
We send light and comfort to Pam and family.
For you, those that have visited this website, and Sycamore Pottery, and most likely have pots in your cabinets and on your tables formed by his hands, I invite you to feel welcome to comment below, or pause in remembrance of the pleasure of getting a nice haircut.
As Ren so often said, "Here's looking at you kid!"
We apologize that we can’t seem to figure out why peoples names don’t appear, and everyone is a guest…but maybe it doesn’t matter. I wrote my last blog (for now, never say never) working with Linda Case was brilliant. She is an amazing person, writer, artist, organizer. We hope someone (or many) will take turns writing the blog, for it keeps us in touch with each other. I think a good blog would be about the memories from the people that have supported this tour, and vision of three crafts people more than 33 years ago..May the generations of artists keep on keeping on! Ren and Pam would love that!
Tara Lee Bell
His voyage…
He is at kiln in the stratosphere, stoking the fire to make sure that the temperature is optimal and ready for the art that he and Pam created out of clay. We come from clay and we return to clay. Gus voyage was stellar. Gil
We are saddened to hear the news of Ren's passing, especially since we have not been able to visit since before the pandemic. We will always remember that great smile, cheery personality, and talent when we use our bowls and other pottery items. Seemed like he lived his best life doing what he loved with who he loved in a beautiful place on this Earth. Condolences and bets wishes to Pam and the family.
Ren, you were one of my favorite people in the world. I spent a wonderful late afternoon with Pam last week sitting at your dining table as I many times did with you both as you fed me lunch or dinner… or both… when I would help you around the pottery and your property. I was standing on the deck… lovely new paint job… and looking down at the pottery with Pam and I could in my mind see your with your gear on stepping in and out between the kilns. Standing there hearing your voice and feeling your presence while conversing with your lovely bride! You both were very blessed for fifty four years with being with the other.…