Page 2 September 5, 2013 South Bay Bids Farewell to The South Bay Remembers John Parsons (1953-201) John Parsons By Brian Simon negative impacts of sequestration, continue How do you measure a mans life? By service as a council member in Redondo Mourners from across the South Bay and resolutions and save LA Air Force Base the lives he’s changed? By his friends and Beach; his leadership to maintain the L.A beyond--including a veritable who’s who from the next BRAC Base Realignment and family? By his core values and work ethic? Airforce Base; and fighting for 310 area of area elected officials and community Closure round. I will continue his work on Here was a man that embodied all of that code. But, his service to the Workforce leaders--were in attendance last Friday to behalf of our region.” and much more and cared deeply for his Investment Network may be his finest to say goodbye to John Parsons, the Redondo Former Hawthorne Mayor Larry Guidi noted fellow man.” the entire region. I will miss his smile and Beach City Planning Commissioner and that Parsons always did what was right for El Segundo Mayor, Bill Fisher always warm greetings. former City Councilman who passed away the community and never worried about the Pat Furey, on August 22 at the age of 60. Parsons was next election. “I had the privilege to work Councilman, City of Torrance hospitalized at Little Company of Mary with John for over 15 years and the first It is with heartfelt sorrow that we lost Medical Center in Torrance after suffering thing I found out was it took a lot to make “one of the good guys” so unexpectedly. I so a stroke towards the end of the August 20 him angry,” Guidi said. “If John believed in a enjoyed working alongside John on projects “John Parsons was a true friend of El Redondo Beach Council meeting where he cause, it was like the song from Johnny Cash... such as saving the LA Airforce Base, South Segundo and fought tirelessly to keep the had just spoken. Services took place at the ‘I hear the train a-coming.’ John showed his Bay Association of Chambers and most LA Air Force Base here. John was widely American Martyrs Church in Manhattan political power when he, the late El Segundo recently, the El Segundo Chamber Board and respected throughout the South Bay and Beach with a reception immediately after at Mayor Mike Gordon and I took on the Government Affairs Committee. His expertise beyond. He exemplified a true public servant the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. government when they wanted to close the and knowledge of politics and governmental and I am honored to have worked with him In keeping with the family’s request, many LA Air Force Base and we won. The second affairs was incredible and he was someone for many years.” of the funeral-goers arrived in Hawaiian- biggest fight we had was over a year ago you could count on to follow through. He Eric Busch, style attire. when we took on Sacramento to stop cutting was known throughout the South Bay Region Former El Segundo Mayor: In addition to his activities in Redondo One-Stop funding and divert funding. I never and will be forever missed. Beach where he was also a Chamber saw John so angry at Sacramento lawmakers. Sherry Kramer When we are elected we have the horrific of Commerce board member, Rotary His personality as being cool helped when Chair, Torrance Area Chamber of “Honorable” added to our name. Sometimes Club President and Harbor Commission he got mad--they knew it was a cause worth Commerce one might doubt the title is deserved for some Chair, Parsons also served for the past fighting for. John was not another opportunist Past Chair, El Segundo Chamber of elected officials. In John’s case there is no year as Business Services and Economic that used his position for his personal gain.” Commerce one who would question the appropriateness Development Manager for the South Bay Though especially known for his of the title. John was undoubtedly the one of Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB) contributions in regards to LA Air Force Base, John Parsons was an individual whose life the most energetic and fair-minded people I that represents the cities of Carson, El Parsons also played vital roles in the fight to was woven through several organizations and had the privilege of knowing. He was and Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa retain the 310 area code, the establishment individuals in the South Bay. His expertise, in is a treasure for Redondo Beach, the South Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Manhattan of the South Bay Environmental Services so many areas, will be remembered always. Bay and California. Beach and Redondo Beach. On the board Center, and coordination of city efforts with John was a member of the Torrance Area Bill Sutherland, of directors for that agency for nearly two various key transportation projects, among Chamber of Commerce Workforce Readiness Councilman, City of Torrance decades, Parsons also worked for SBWIB in other achievements. “He was passionate and task force. Through this task force John 2009 to connect high school STEM (science, able to build consensus among his South shared his vast array of knowledge in job John Parsons was a wonderful technology, engineering and math) students Bay city colleagues,” said South Bay Cities preparation. The Torrance Area Chamber communitarian. His work for the community and businesses. Under his latest title, he Council of Governments Executive Director of Commerce membership and staff will - on so many issues - was extraordinary, provided information to businesses about Jacki Bacharach, who noted that Parsons also remember John as a dedicated, caring and and his work to save the LA Air Force base the various programs available to them and served on that agency’s board in 2004. “We thoughtful man. meant so much to the South Bay. He will in recent months presented in-depth reports have all lost an outstanding South Bay leader.” Donna Duperron be missed. about SBWIB’s offerings at a number of area Parsons was also often the “go-to guy” for President and CEO Cliff Numark city council meetings. “He helped in many prominent emcee duties, recently serving in Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce Councilman, City of Torrance more areas outside of his job description,” that capacity for Senator Ted Lieu’s State John will always be remembered for his said SBWIB Executive Director Jan Vogel. of the State Address in El Segundo—and “He was somebody you could talk to who he was a trusted moderator at a number of would listen, come up with good ideas and area candidate forums held prior to municipal do whatever needed to be done to move elections. In recognition of his public service, All life is an experiment. the organization forward. He was a unique Parsons not only personally received numerous The more experiments you make the better. individual and a good man.” awards over the years, but even had one Vogel went on to say that few people he named after him—the South Bay Association - Ralph Waldo Emerson has ever worked with matched Parsons’ of Chambers of Commerce’s John J. Parsons honesty, integrity and commitment to the SBACC Business Citizenship of the Year community. “Also, John knew everyone-- Award. particularly in the beach cities,” Vogel said. Raised in nearby Westchester, Parsons “You can’t replicate that. It takes years and graduated from St. Bernard High School years of being connected. He did it and in Playa del Rey and went on to attend El really wanted to make those cities better.” Camino College and USC. He spent his early Parsons’ connections proved instrumental career in the aerospace industry, working for in the successful campaign to keep Los Hughes Aircraft in El Segundo where he Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo that eventually headed an engineering department. culminated in 2005. He chaired the Los He shifted gears in the late ‘80s, moving into Angeles Air Force Base Regional Alliance, real estate and eventually enjoying a 20-year raised funds for the cause and traveled to run with Horrell Realtors before taking the Washington on a number of occasions to job with SBWIB. lobby military and Congressional leaders. Parsons and his wife Mary Ann also moved “His efforts saved thousands of jobs and to Redondo Beach in the ‘80s, where the businesses, and maintained a higher quality of couple raised two daughters. NOW HIRING life in Southern California,” said El Segundo In his honor, the family has established the KEY FULL-TIME POSITIONS City Councilmember Suzanne Fuentes, who Redondo Beach Rotary Club John Parsons » INGLEWOOD, CA described Parsons as a “wonderful friend and Scholarship Fund to help local students. mentor” with a “kind and generous heart.” Those inclined may make donations at P.O. The Forum will be opening on January 15 of 2014. The Madison Square Garden Company is revitalizing the Forum to create a world-class entertainment venue that bridges its iconic past with Over the past year, Parsons communicated Box 411 Redondo Beach CA 90277. today’s state-of-the-art technology and amenities. As a result of this revitalization, the Forum will be frequently with Fuentes to build awareness “He was a great guy--very engaging, the largest and most important indoor performance venue in the country designed to focus on music about the impacts of the across-the-board friendly, always wanting to help and always and entertainment. federal spending cuts known as sequestration. there at important meetings South Bay-wide,” We are currently recruiting for the following: “John Parsons was a public servant in the said El Segundo Mayor Bill Fisher. “His » Administrative Assistant » Director Marketing & Promotions truest sense--even when he wasn’t holding public service record was incredible and his – Job #13-4718 – Job #13-4719 an elected office, he worked and advocated work specifically in the retention of LA Air » Director Box Offi ce Operations » Engineer – Job #12-3651 tirelessly on behalf of our region and its Force Base was a huge benefit to the entire – Job #13-4308 » Manager Marketing & Promotions aerospace industry,” added Fuentes. “John region. He was a wonderful friend to El » Director Building Operations – Job #13-4720 continued to strategize with local leaders and Segundo and the entire South Bay and we » Manager Administration – Job #13-4751– Job #13-4752 » Director Production – Job #13-4753 Congressional representatives to avoid the will miss him deeply.” • » SVP West Coast Business Operations – Job #13-4714 Please apply at: www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com/careers click “View Job Listings” and enter the Job Number of the desired position. Visit us online: www.heraldpublications.com All initial inquiries will be kept confi dential. An Equal Opportunity Employer
Lawndale 09_05_13
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