Gold Star Mother Will Receive Stamford Veterans Park Partnership Award

STAMFORD, CT — On Sept. 21, Patricia Parry, a Gold Star Mother, will be honored with the Patriot Award by the Stamford Veterans Park Partnership (SVPP) for her work in support of active military and veterans locally and across the country.

This is the third annual benefit supporting the programs and services of the organization. It will be held at the Woodway Country Club in Darien.

Please visit the SVPP website or contact Colleen Harkey at harkeyvppartnership@gmail.com for sponsorship and reservations information. Last minute reservations will be accepted up to Monday evening.

"The renovation of Stamford Veterans Memorial Park started with Pat Parry’s visit to my office. She had a vision of honoring the sacrifices made by the individuals serving in our military, veterans, their families, and the ultimate sacrifice made by her son, Navy SEAL Brian Bill," said Rick Redniss, president of the SVPP.

The Patriot Award recognizes civilian members of the community who have helped make a difference by honoring the country, veterans and those actively serving in the military.

Parry is one of seven children born into the Davis family in Stamford. She graduated from Stamford Catholic High School and St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing in New York City.

Parry lived in Massachusetts and worked at Boston City Hospital before returning to Connecticut in 1976 where she continued her nursing career working at St. Joseph Medical Center, then in private duty nursing, dialysis and research.

Parry and her husband, Dr. Michael Parry, raised five children, Christian, Amy, Brian, Andrea and Kerry. Brian was killed in action on Aug. 6, 2011.

Parry is a member of the Health Commission and served on the anti-blight committee in Stamford. Parry and Michael work to raise funds for a scholarship in Brian’s name at Norwich University. Over these past six years, Parry has served as a member of the leadership team with the SVPP, and currently as a member of the Board of Directors.

Last September, Stamford’s own Tony Pavia received the Patriot Award, and in 2019, Christopher Meek, co-founder, chairman & CEO SoldierStrong and senior director and global relationship Manager at S&P Global, Inc., was the recipient of the award.