Connellsville’s Ron Parfit earns Community Recognition Award
The Fayette County commissioners, along with the Fayette County Mental Health/Mental Retardation advisory board, presented the board’s 11th annual Community Recognition Award to Ronald Parfitt of Connellsville at a recent meeting. The award is given to an outstanding community leader who has made a difference in the lives of individuals in recovery, children and adults with mental health needs and/or with developmental disabilities.
Parfitt was nominated by Deanna Sherbondy, executive director of Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission Inc., because of the recipient’s commitment to the citizens of Fayette County for more than 47 years.
Sherbondy noted that in addition to his past 10-plus years service as an active member of the Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission’s Board of Directors Parfitt has been an influential civil servant and volunteer with Fayette County.
That record dates back to 1959, when he began a 20-year career as a police officer with the Connellsville Police Department.
Upon his retirement from the force, he missed working with the community and began working with juvenile delinquents through Adelphoi Village.
Parfitt’s extraordinary caring, dedication and the unselfish attitude he exemplified during his time as a police officer have carried over to his work as a volunteer.
In 1999, he received the “Community Service Award for Work with Youth” through Penn State University/Fayette Campus and Minority Student Association.
Parfitt has assisted in many activities with Laurel House, Inc., a Mental Health/Mental Retardation service provider that serves individuals with disabilities.
What makes Parfitt a most deserving recipient is a motto that he has lived by since his days as a police officer: “Treat everyone with respect and regard, whether they are a victim or a criminal.”
Sherbondy, on behalf of Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission, offers congratulations to Parfitt and looks forward to his continued support and dedication – not only to the agency but to the Fayette County community.
Parfitt joins an impressive list of former community recognition awardees that include Elias Gabriel, Agnes Almes, David Merlin, Joseph Mickens, William L. Hart, Gayla Lafferty, Sue Ann Koosher (posthumous), Carmella Hardy, John Davis and Ed (Curly) Kudyba.