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Stu Parry receives 2017 Hunsicker Family Service to Youth Award
Published: May 3, 2017
AKRON––Long-time supporter and advocate for the Akron Area YMCA, W. Stuver Parry is the recipient of the 2017 Hunsicker Family Service to Youth Award.
The award is given to an outstanding volunteer who is aligned with the nonprofit’s rich history of community service as well as its mission of putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
The University of Akron and soccer fans may know Parry as the founder of the men’s varsity soccer program, but Y leaders have had a long association with him and his family business, Akron Welding & Spring, after he purchased YMCA memberships for all of employees.
Parry and his family ultimately formed the Parry Corporation, which included Akron Welding and Spring, Gas Technics of Ohio, Parry Home Medical Division, Wooster Welding Supply and Canton Safety.
In 1996, the Parry Corporation was sold to Praxair Inc., where Stu retired as chairman of Praxair Distribution. And, through it all, he was active with the YMCA.
A 3-day a week handball player, Parry joined the Board of Trustees in the 1970s and chaired the board when the Central Y reopened as Canal Square in 1986.
Parry chaired the 1998 capital campaign for the Riverfront, Green and Canal Square Ys and the dining hall and riding arena at Camp Y-Noah. He is currently an honorary trustee of Akron Area YMCA.
Through his tenure, Parry played a pivotal role in securing the $3 million gift from the Knight Foundation that helped build the Kohl Family YMCA at University Park. And personally, he is a charter member of the YMCA's Heritage Club, where he and his late wife, Nancy, have been instrumental in growing the Akron Area YMCA.
“Stu is an individual who exemplifies our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith,” said Jill Kolesar. president and CEO of the Akron Area YMCA. “He has certainly gone above and beyond to provide youth with every opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.”
The 2017 Hunsicker Family Service to Youth Award was accepted by Stu Parry’s son, Bill, at the 2017 annual meeting of the Akron Area YMCA.