Harry Parrish Dies
Sad news to report. Harry Parrish has passed away today.
Governor Kaine's statement:
"Anne and I are deeply saddened by the death of Delegate Harry Parrish of Manassas. In January 2001, I started attending a Tuesday morning Bible study that is held during the General Assembly session. Harry was a regular attendee at those Bible studies, and during that time I came to know him as a dear person and a dear friend. In his public and his private life, Harry was always courtly and civil and committed to service. His composure and dignity combined with his commitment to working in a bipartisan manner for the future of the Commonwealth made him a true Virginia gentleman. We will miss him."
Vince Thoms, James Young and Jim Riley all have tributes up.
Update: Kris Amundson and Jennifer McClellan have thoughts up here.
May he rest in peace. My prayers are with the Parrish family.
Posted by: David | March 28, 2006 at 04:07 PM
God rest Harry Parrish. He was a giant in PWC politics.
Posted by: Riley, Not O'Reilly | March 28, 2006 at 04:13 PM
We’ve lost a piece of Virginia with his passing. God Bless him and his family.
Can we please have a blogsphere moratorium on discussion of his successor at least until he’s laid to rest.
Posted by: Hirons | March 28, 2006 at 04:26 PM
Harry Parrish is one of the rare, true statesmen of Virginia politics. He has served as an elected official in Manaassas and Prince William County for more than two generations and he never hesitated to take a young upstart like myself aside for a bit if sage advice or a stern talking to when we’ve needed it.
He will be missed.
—marty nohe
Posted by: marty nohe | March 28, 2006 at 04:32 PM
Harry Parrish put the "gentle" in gentleman. He will be sorely missed.
NJH
Posted by: Not Jack Herrity | March 28, 2006 at 06:04 PM
Rest in peace, Harry...
He was a good man.
Posted by: Doug in Mount Vernon | March 28, 2006 at 06:11 PM
This is very sad news indeed. He was a statesman whose moderation and inclusiveness were a model for us all. My thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the many people he served so well for so long.
Posted by: ZB | March 28, 2006 at 06:50 PM
My prayers and thoughts are with Parrish. One of the only republicans I have ever voted for in a General for....God bless him
Posted by: Daniel Plaugher | March 28, 2006 at 10:30 PM
I never met him, but he seemed like such a wonderful man. Hopefully someone will continue his tradition of giving out jackets to Finance Committee members.
Posted by: George Templeton | March 29, 2006 at 12:48 AM
God bless him
Posted by: SE VA MWC Alum | March 29, 2006 at 12:52 PM