The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:

Premier Dunderdale Honours the Legacy of Former MHA Kevin Parsons Sr.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honour the legacy of a former Member of this House and the father of the current Member for Cape St. Francis, Kevin Parsons Sr., who passed away yesterday after a lifetime of exemplary public service.

A proud son of Flatrock, Kevin Parsons made the town his lifelong home and dedicated himself to serving the people of the municipality, the region, and, eventually, the entire province in a variety of roles and professions: as a fisherman and seal hunter beginning when he was a teen; as a police officer with what was then known as the Newfoundland Constabulary; as a federal firefighter based at Pleasantville and on the St. John’s harbour fire tug; as an entrepreneur who established Flatrock Trucking, which enabled local fishermen to get their product to market; as a school board member for two decades; as the town’s very first mayor; as the Member of the House of Assembly for the former District of St. John’s East Extern; and as a member of the provincial Cabinet.

One of his proudest moments as mayor was to host the blessing of the fleet by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Once as a young man, Kevin and his fellow fishermen saved the life of a downed American airman who crashed off Flatrock while returning to his aircraft carrier. It was a moment of selflessness and heroism that defined his life. He was an example to all of us, and he will be greatly missed.

2013 03 11             2:10 p.m.