In Memory

Tom Parry

 July 8, 1950 - June 5, 2016
Resided in Hudson, OH

Tom Parry, loving husband and father, passed away on Sunday, June 5, 2016 due to complications during his recovery from sextuple bypass surgery.
 
 Tom was born on July 8th, 1950 in Pittsburgh, PA. He grew up in nearby North Huntington where he was a star athlete and worked for the family business, Gongaware & Parry Florist & Greenhouse. He attended Westminster College from 1968 to 1972 on a basketball scholarship where he met his wife Jamie during a game of Bridge. They were married on July 20, 1972. He joined the U.S Navy, serving as a Data Processing Technician, 2nd Class from 1973 to 1978, after which he returned home to help run the greenhouse.
 
 Tom joined the Henry F. Michell Company sales team in 1988, moving to Hudson, Ohio in the same year. Throughout his 28 years with the company, he served as a mentor to the sales force, advisor to growers and customers, and enjoyed being part of Michell's growth and expansion through strategic partnerships. One of Tom's most storied accomplishments was helping to develop and bring to market many new varieties of flowering plants.
 
 Tom's free time was filled with golf, fishing, caring for his garden, lamenting the accomplishments of Cleveland sports teams and enriching the company of his many friends as "co-chairman of the board". Tom shared his passion for life, support and opinions with all he interacted with.
 
 If you knew Tom, share your stories and remembrances with us at Hudson Presbyterian Church (201 West Streetsboro St. Hudson, OH 44236) on Friday, June 10th, beginning with a gathering of family and friends at 2 PM, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 4 PM. In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations to the Horticultural Research Institute (www.hriresearch.org) Scholarship Fund with designation to the Tom Parry Memorial Scholarship.
 
 Tom will be sorely missed by friends and loved ones, however his legacy will live on in all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Jamie; son, Jason; daughter, Lorien; mother, Trudy; brother, Jeff (Denise), his nephews Justin and Zack (Kayla) and father-in-law Howdy Holschuh.
 
 



 
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06/08/16 01:01 PM #1    

Debbie Hooke (Javor)

 

So sorry to hear another member of our class has deceased. Although I wasn't a friend of Tom's I remember him being on the basketball team and cheering for them to win. My prayers go out towards his family and friends may God give them the peace and comfort during this difficult time.

 

 


06/08/16 01:39 PM #2    

Cynthia "Sam" Snyder

My sympathy to Tom's family.  He and I were in the same homeroom and I had some classes with him.  A great guy who will surely be missed by his family and friends.

Cynthia Snyder


06/08/16 03:55 PM #3    

Carol Siegel (Painter)

Tom's passing hit home with me. I grew up just a few houses from Tom and his family and his grandparents, the Gongawares. My brothers worked at the greenhouse and my mom was friends with Tom's mom. I went to elemntary school with Tom. He was always a gentleman, smart, and handsome. Tom made cheering for Norwin enjoyable and rewarding - he was so athletic.

Dave especially remembers Tom from homeroom. Through junior high and high school Tom was the star of the intramural compititions which helped tremendously in having the winning homeroom.  

We both express our condolences to his family.


06/08/16 05:37 PM #4    

Ron MacDonald

Our class of 68 has lost another excellent athlete and old friend,reflecting on high school and times he came to visit at WVU.My sympathy to his mom, wife,children and brother.Rest In Peace TP

06/08/16 08:52 PM #5    

Kirk Breakey

I cannot think of a time that I saw Tom without a smile on his face...such a truly nice guy in every sense of the word. Hope that he & Paul & Dave are having a great time reminiscing. My sincere condolences to his family. 


06/09/16 11:37 AM #6    

Bruce Godlesky (Godlesky)

RIP guy.......

 


06/09/16 03:11 PM #7    

Victoria Waller

Tom's passing has also jolted me. Doesn't matter that we are aging—it always catches us by surprise. It seems that as years go by, our high school memories take on new color and dimensions. Memories and the events that created them helped form who we are. My memories of Tom are of his integrity, affability, sense of humor and confidence. I also remember how well he could dance! Tom was a person you wanted to know. We all share these memories; as such, he is a part of all of us. We have lost a good friend and classmate. A good man. My condolences go out to his friends and family. Rest in peace, Tom. 


06/09/16 03:34 PM #8    

Dave Triplett

Our great class of 1968 has lost another fine member, Tom Parry. I met Tom when we entered seventh grade at then North Huntingdon Jr. High. From the first day we met we bonded and we had a lasting friendship all through our school years. He had a quick wit and we shared so many laughs. I haven't seen Tom for so many years since his move to Ohio but I will always have fond memories of our days at Norwin. We will all miss his handsome face and personality. May he rest in peace.


06/10/16 10:45 AM #9    

Cheryl Helterbran (Hand)

Tom was a friend to me in high school and even though we didn't see each other very often as the years passed by, I thought of him fondly. I met his wife, Jamie over 40 years ago before we started our families and I believe she was a wonderful life partner for Tom. I pray for her and her two children . I trust the memories of their life together will comfort them through this difficult time. Tom will be missed by all that knew him. Cheryl(Helterbran) Hand

 

 


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