Aug 10, 2016

In Memoriam: PIANY past President Charles R. (Chuck) Parsons, CIC

PIA is sad to report past President Charles R. (Chuck) Parsons, CIC, passed this week, Aug. 8, 2016.

A U.S. Army veteran and 1959 graduate of Dartmouth College, Chuck Parsons was president of PIANY in 1975 and 1976. He achieved his Certified Insurance Counselor designation in 1976 and he served in every PIANY office and committee. He was awarded PIANY's Committee Chairman of the Year award in 1970 and he served as a director of PIA Management Services well beyond his tenure as PIANY president.

At the Aug. 3, 2016 James K. Ruble seminar conferment ceremony in Verona, N.Y., Dr. William T. Hold, CIC, presented a plaque honoring Chuck for 40 years as a CIC to his son John, as Chuck was unable to attend.

He was chairman of Parsons & Associates Inc. The agency was established in 1930 by Charles' father, John C Parsons (PIANY president from 1954-1955), and it continues to be an active PIA member. Chuck's son, John, is currently PIANY president-elect.

Chuck is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Elfriede; sons John (Lynda) and Robert (Sara); daughter Kristin (Barry) Thornton and grandchildren John C. Parsons III, Bailey A. Parsons, Jack D. Thornton, Connor J. Thornton and Agnes A. Collins.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family, at Chuck's request there will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Works Inc. Mercy Works, PO Box 25, Syracuse, NY 13205. To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.