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Joe Parnarauskis, Socialist Labor Activist and Illinois Senate Candidate, Dies at 71
A dedicated advocate for the working class and a staunch socialist, Joe Parnarauskis succumbed to complications from COVID-19 on October 23 in Duluth, Minnesota, following a long battle with dementia.
Joe Parnarauskis, a lifelong champion of socialist principles, passed away at the age of 71. His death marks the loss of a committed labor fighter who dedicated decades to advocating for the rights of workers and challenging the established political order. Parnarauskis is perhaps best remembered for his 2006 campaign for the illinois State Senate.
A Fight for Ballot Access
Parnarauskis, alongside supporters of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP), faced critically important opposition from the Illinois Democratic Party in their effort to secure a place on the ballot. The party, then led by a rising political star, Barack Obama, attempted to invalidate thousands of signatures collected by Parnarauskis’s campaign. Despite these maneuvers, Parnarauskis and the SEP successfully fought back, ultimately earning the right to compete.
In the election, Parnarauskis garnered 1,894 votes, representing approximately 3.4% of the vote in Illinois’ 52nd congressional district. This district encompassed a diverse range of communities, including Champaign, Urbana, the University of Illinois campus, and surrounding rural areas. His campaign focused on issues such as affordable healthcare,decent wages,and opposition to the Iraq War.
Born in 1952,Parnarauskis’s commitment to social justice was deeply rooted in his family history.His father, Joe Sr., a World War II veteran, worked as a television repairman, while his mother, Irene, was a nurse at the Veterans Management. his family heritage traced back to Lithuanian coal miners and Slovak iron and copper miners, communities that experienced intense class struggles in the early 20th century.
This lineage instilled in Parnarauskis a profound understanding of the challenges faced by working people. he was politically awakened by the Vietnam War, famously protesting the conflict by taking over the public address system at Westville High School, an act that resulted in his suspension. This early act of defiance foreshadowed a lifetime of challenging authority and advocating for social justice.
After working in freight loading, parnarauskis pursued a career in nursing, earning an associate’s degree in 1984 and a bachelor of science degree later on.He dedicated 27 years to psychiatric nursing, retiring from Provena Covenant Medical Centre in Urbana in 2018. Colleagues remember him as a dedicated professional who often volunteered for challenging shifts to support his coworkers. He frequently took on the most physically demanding tasks,drawing on his experience as a former American football player. His work exposed him to the harsh realities of Rust Belt decline and the devastating effects of drug addiction.
Personal Struggles and Political Re-Engagement
Parnarauskis faced personal hardship, including navigating anti-gay intolerance in the 1980s and the tragic loss of his partner, Mark Haun, to the AIDS epidemic. He briefly attended the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana,becoming involved in radical student politics and opposing U.S. intervention in Central America.
Over time, Parnarauskis grew critical of traditional protest movements, believing they failed to address the root causes of social problems. Though, the 2003 invasion of Iraq reignited his political activism. He began reading the World Socialist Web Site and joined the Trotskyist movement in 2004,becoming deeply involved in the SEP’s campaigns and activities.
In the years before his retirement, Parnarauskis actively participated in strikes, distributed leaflets, and attended national SEP meetings.He gradually withdrew from political activity following his retirement in 2018 and was later diagnosed with dementia, moving to Cloquet, Minnesota, to live with his sister, Rita, who provided care during his final years.
Joe Parnarauskis will be remembered by his comrades for his unwavering dedication, fighting spirit, and genuine warmth. His life serves as a testament to the power of socialist ideals and the importance of standing up for the rights of the working class
