Kevin Parsons fought for the Torbay bypass. Now it's renamed in his honour
A part of Newfoundland and Labrador highway Kevin Parsons fought so hard for is now named in his honour.
Premier Andrew Furey announced on Thursday that Route 20A, commonly known as the Torbay bypass, has been renamed the Kevin Parsons Highway.
Parsons, a former MHA and key figure of municipal politics as the former mayor of Flatrock, died in August at the age of 62.
"There's no doubt Kevin Parsons was a great son of Newfoundland and Labrador, who left us all too soon," Furey said at the unveiling ceremony inside Confederation Building.
"People saw the kindness and his compassion, and truly how much he cared about his community and the province he loved."
Parsons served as the MHA for Cape St. Francis — which he affectionately referred to as "the beautiful district of Cape St. Francis" any chance he could — from 2008 to 2021. He was the mayor of Flatrock before that post, and was deeply involved in the community and its hockey scene.
Parsons was remembered on Thursday for his kindness, compassion and commitment to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. (Mark Quinn/CBC)
His father also served as MHA of Cape St. Francis for seven years, which Furey said serves as a greater tie-in for the tribute.
"It's also extremely fitting, given his father was an advocate for the creation of this very bypass road," he said.
David Brazil, former leader of the Progressive Conservatives in Newfoundland and Labrador, called Parsons a dear friend who served as his political mentor until his passing. He was visibly emotional as he walked to the podium near a photo of Parsons.
"Kevin Parsons would be humbled by this, and I would suspect a little bit embarrassed. Because, you know, Kevin didn't want the limelight," Brazil said. "He wasn't looking for notoriety, he was looking to do what was right for people."
Former PC leader David Brazil, left, and constituency assistant Barb Cadigan said Parsons never valued the spotlight, but would have been honoured by the designation of the highway. (Mark Quinn/CBC)
An example of that came around the time the road opened, Brazil said.
He recalled a meeting in 2011 where it was proposed the road open early to give Parsons the recognition he deserved for its completion. Brazil said Parsons turned it down to make sure lights could be placed on the road to make sure it was safe for residents of his district before it opened.
"He was so adamant about getting that completed for 'his beautiful district of Cape St. Francis,'" said Barb Cadigan, Parsons' former constituency assistant and family friend.
"In Kevin's words, that day was a huge day. Today is a good day for us."
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