Ira, better known as “Buz”, was the son of Ira E. Parry and Emily Pedrick Parry, and was predeceased by a brother, Milford Meade Parry, and a sister, Elizabeth Parry Appel.
Buz was educated in Baltimore public schools, was appointed from the enlisted fleet of the Navy to attend the U.S. Naval Academy Prep School and graduated from the Naval Academy in June of 1960.
On the 18th of June, two weeks after graduation, Buz married Mary Jane Whitehurst in Bath. The Parrys’ four children are Julia Main O’Neil, Blane Pedrick Parry, Keith Meade Parry and Douglas McNicol Parry. In addition to his own children, Buz endeared himself to many grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Buz often remarked that second only to the joy he derived from his children was that which he derived from volunteering with Jane as they worked with youth groups for twenty-five years. Upon settling in Bath the Parrys had the opportunity to work with a diverse and amazing group of teenagers from all over town that met weekly at the United Church of Christ. In addition to doing youth ministry, Buz gave support and encouragement to numerous teens and young adults. Due to Buz’s generosity and hospitality, the Parrys’ home was opened to several young people over the years, especially those who were in transition.
The Naval career that Buz enjoyed included service on the aircraft carrier USS Randolph out of Norfolk, VA., US Naval Submarine School in Groton, CT., several deployments on the submarine USS Grampus out of Norfolk, VA., Guided Missile School in Dam Neck, VA., and assignment aboard the Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine Lewis and Clark while it was under new construction in Newport News, VA. Upon its commissioning Buz served as the weapons officer for four deployments out of Charleston, SC.
From 1968 until 1971 Buz was the liaison for the United States Navy to the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense in Coulport, Scotland. That was with Strategic Systems Project in Washington, D.C., where the family enjoyed three years.
After nine years of sea duty, a three-year tour ashore convinced Buz that being with his young family was a priority. Buz chose to accept a shore assignment as U.S. Naval Representative at Draper Labs in Cambridge, MA. During that tour the family lived in Winchester, MA from 1971 until 1978. When Buz retired from the Navy in 1978 the family moved to Bath, ME where Buz joined the work force at Bath Iron Works and contributed his technical expertise to the AEGIS Program.
Final retirement found Buz channeling his time and energy into a variety of community volunteer opportunities. Meeting new people, fixing things, leading groups and continuing to host family and friends in the Parrys’ home. One of Buz’s favorite experiences was to start (along with Paul Dumdey) and coach the first lacrosse club for Morse High School boys.
Recently, after 38 years of living in Bath, the Parrys relocated to an in-law apartment in the home of their daughter and son-in-law in North Berwick, ME.
Per Buz’s request, his remains will be donated to MedCure, a whole body tissue bank that advances research for medical science.
There will not be a memorial service at this time. There will be a service at noon on June 18, 2017 at the family plot in Oak Grove Cemetery in Bath, ME.
Donations to honor Buz’s memory can be directed to Good Shepherd , Food Bank of Maine, PO Box 479, Lewiston, ME 04243-0470.
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