A former member of the House of Assembly has passed away.
Kevin Parsons, a former mayor of Flatrock, represented Cape St. Francis for three terms.
He first went to the legislature in a by-election under the PC banner in 2008, to fill the vacancy left by the passing of former MHA Jack Byrne.
His father, Kevin Sr., also represented the district in the 1980s and 1990s.
Former PC Leader David Brazil calls it a very sad time. He and Parsons weren’t just colleagues, but good friends.
“It wasn’t about Kevin Parsons,” says Brazil who recalled Parsons’ approach not just to his constituents, but everyone. “Kevin Parsons would give to everybody, support everybody. He was a team player and saw good in everything that needed to be done.”
Never in all my years have I met a politician more kind-hearted and universally loved than my friend Kevin Parsons. Like his father before him, Kevin was wholly devoted to the people he served and a true pillar of the local sports community. His face beamed with pride whenever he… pic.twitter.com/lvSXciMgw0
— Tony Wakeham (@TonyWakehamNL) August 15, 2024
Current leader Tony Wakeham says Parsons’ final speech in the House of Assembly focused on others as he paid tribute to a good friend, Gord Dunphy. He says that’s the way Parsons was—always concerned about others.
Wakeham says the advice Parsons gave him during his run at the party leadership was to “always put people ahead of politics.”
I was extremely saddened to hear about the passing of my friend fprmer MHA Kevin Parsons
He had a tremendous heart and loved helping people. He was one of my biggest supporters and mentors and I will forever be thankful that I was fortunate to know him and call him friend. https://t.co/Cw4XyJm7bF pic.twitter.com/ryNwMlIA6V
— Mayor Craig Scott 🏳️🌈 🇨🇦 (@CraigScottNL) August 15, 2024
Former Premier Danny Williams calls him one of the province’s most beloved political figures—one of the most authentic and genuine individuals he has ever met.
My thoughts are with the family and friends of Kevin Parsons today, a man admired and respected by all. During his time as Cape St. Francis MHA from 2008 to 2021, people saw his kindness & compassion and how much he cared for this province. My heartfelt condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/qBeEoVVRmW
— Premier of NL (@PremierofNL) August 15, 2024
