Professor Parsons taught for many years at Oxford University, leaving in fall 2016 to take up a senior policy position in government in his native New Zealand.  He was well-known for his work in metaphysics, philosophy of language, and philosophical logic.  You can learn more about his work here (and see also his charming grades of the world's flags!) I will add lnks to memorial notices when they appear.

(Thanks to Benj Hellie for the information.)

UPDATE:  Philosopher Charles Pigden (Otago) writes:  "Slight correction to your Josh post (for which many thanks). Josh had not been teaching at Oxford for ‘many’ years but only five (2011-2016) having spent the previous five years at Otago. If he had been at Oxford from 2006 to 2011 rather than Otago, I would be a lot less grief-stricken than sadly I actually am. On the other hand I would not have experienced the most valuable philosophical friendship of my life."