In Memoriam of Charles (Chuck) R. Parsons

Parsons & Associates is sad to report that Charles (Chuck) R. Parsons, CIC, passed away Monday, 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 August 3, 2016 James K. Ruble seminar conferment ceremony in Verona, N.Y., Dr. William T. Hold, CIC, presented an award honoring Chuck for 40 years as a CIC to his son John, as Chuck was unable to attend.

At the time of his passing, Chuck was chairman of Parsons & Associates, Inc.—he joined the agency on August 31st 1962 after his service in the US Army. He was instrumental in the development of the Lawyers Professional Liability Program, among others. Chuck instilled in all of us that being in the insurance industry you have the ability to make a difference in someone’s life every day. He certainly did just that in many ways in not only the insurance industry but the entire community of Central New York and beyond. Chuck was a long-time member of the Board of Trustees of the Syracuse Rescue Mission and served as its president in 1983 and 1984.

The agency was established in 1930 by Charles’ father, John C Parsons and continues to this day led by Chuck’s sons Robert M. Parsons (President) and John C. Parsons II (Executive Vice President).

Chuck is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 55 years, Elfriede; sons John (Lynda) and Robert (Sara); daughter Kristin (Barry) Thornton; grandchildren John III, Bailey, Jack, Connor and Agnes and sister Martha (Dick) Paine. He was pre-deceased by his parents John C. and Claire Parsons, and his sister Karen (Al) Duncker.

Funeral services with military honors were private. To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.weebly.com/obituaries–guestbook/charles-root-parsons