Jun 30, 2016

Henry F. Michell’s Tom Parry Dies

Tom Parry, a long-time member of the Henry F. Michell Company sales team, passed away on Sunday, June 5, 2016.

Parry was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and grew up in nearby North Huntington where he worked for the family business, Gongaware & Parry Florist & Greenhouse.

In 1973, Parry joined the U.S. Navy serving as a data processing technician, 2nd Class, during the Vietnam War. In 1978, he returned home to help run the greenhouse.

Tom joined the Henry F. Michell Company in 1988 at the age of 38. Parry took over the Northern Ohio territory when he started with Michell’s.

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. Over the years, Parry contributed to the development and marketing of new plant varieties.

Parry is survived by his wife Jamie and two children, Jason and Lorien.

Donations can be made to the Horticultural Research Institute with designation to the Tom Parry Memorial Scholarship.