Solon: Friends and family recall

influence of former Councilman Terry

Parmelee
Posted: Wednesday, September 14, 2016 11:45 pm
By SUE REID

There is no bigger champion of the City of Solon than

Terry Parmelee Sr., his friends and family said last week.
In fact, when his wife Susan moved to Solon with her new
husband 47 years ago, she said it was like she married a
hometown hero.
It was kind of like marrying a celebrity in a small town,
said Mrs. Parmelee, who grew up just outside of Maryland.
Mr. Parmelee, a lifelong Solon resident, was a respected
athlete and businessman and member of Solon City
Council in the early 1970s and again in the 1980s. He died
Aug. 26 of a massive heart attack at the age of 70
surrounded by his family who had gathered to celebrate
his birthday of the previous Monday (Aug. 22) at his retreat
in Chautauqua County, N.Y.
Mr. Parmelee, who was raised in the historic Solon Bull home across from City Hall, was among the
business leaders who helped Cleveland Mayor George V. Voinovich reverse the citys decline, his
son Nicholas, 31, of Boston said.
His father was the chief executive officer of Meldrum & Fewsmith Advertising Agency (M&F) in 1984
when then Mayor Voinovich was working to stem the tide of headquartered businesses moving from
the citys core to recently fashionable suburban office parks, Nicholas continued.
M&F, with a client list including Glidden Paints, LTV Steel and Durkee Foods, had more than $63
million in billings generated by its offices in Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago and Brussels. Mr. Parmelee
committed to keeping the M&Fs offices in the 1220 Building on Playhouse Square and further
pledged a major renovation of the space.
The pledge and work to follow gave the mayor added momentum to keep his comeback city
narrative relevant, Nicholas said.

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Even though he began to make his mark in downtown Cleveland, his father always held Solon close
to his heart, his son continued.
Even when he started to run in circles downtown, he always saw the value of Solon and the wellroundedness of it, Nicholas said. He would always tout Solon for what it should be known for,
which is its diverse tax base and what that provides the citizens of Solon.
He would say There is nothing like Solon city services and Solon schools, Nicholas said, and that
the Solon schools set his three kids up for absolute success.
Born in 1946, Mr. Parmelees grandparents lived in apartments above CVS on Aurora Road before
moving into the Solon Bull home where he was raised.
During his time in the Solon schools, Mr. Parmelee was considered a legend. He earned all-city
Cleveland Press honors as a player on the high school basketball team in 1963-1964 and was
recognized as one of the top 10 players in Cleveland, in addition to receiving a minor league
baseball contract offer as a young pitcher. A five-year letterman, Mr. Parmelee played on the Solon
varsity baseball team from eighth to 12th grade.
Mr. Parmelee rejected the minor league contract and went on to attend Kenyon College where his
four-year basketball career resulted in several records that still stand. He graduated with a Bachelor
of Arts degree in political science and returned to Solon where he would serve on City Council in the
1970s and 1980s.
He ran for City Council at the same time as Kevin Patton, the citys former mayor.
We both got elected in the fall of 1971, Mr. Patton said. He was 25 and I was 24.
Terry was a self-determined, self-confident and very realistic person, Mr. Patton said. The two
played on the same Little League and were friends in high school.
He was a very respected athlete, Mr. Patton said, and he and his father Harry made significant
contributions in the history of Solon.
He rose to a management position early in his career, Mr. Patton added.
Mr. Parmelee began his advertising career in 1969 at the age of 23 as a research analyst and 11
years later was named president and CEO. He ended his advertising career at M&F in 1987 to
consult with businesses on civic and state policy matters and start up several small businesses in
Greater Cleveland.
He was very supportive of the city of Solon and the area he lived, Mr. Patton added.
Her brother was always there for her, Mr. Parmelees sister Eileen Parmelee, of Solon, recalled.
He was my older brother and I idolized him growing up, Ms. Parmelee said. As adults, that
relationship grew to be one of trust and love.
We talked every day, Ms. Parmelee, 66, said. Terry was very, very bright.
I dont think there were many things in life that were a challenge for him," she said. He was
successful at business at a young age and a great athlete. He was also generous and always
willing to help people, she said.

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Her brother also continued to keep on top of current events, never letting any grass grow under his
feet, Ms. Parmelee, a retired teacher and administrator in the Chagrin Falls schools, said.
My brother was great for calling me and saying, Eileen, trivia question, Ms. Parmelee said.
And like their father Harry, who served on City Council in the 1950s, Mr. Parmelee knew everyone in
town, his sister continued.
My brother was like my father, she said. There wasnt a person my dad didnt know in Solon and
my brother was the same.
What would I say if we had one more day? Ms. Parmelee said. Im not sure what I would say, but I
sure wish for that one more day.
His fathers death came as a shock, Nicholas said. He continued that his father was an individual
who always drove him to think and consider other perspectives. He and his father would speak every
morning to discuss the news of the day.
He always brought to the table an entirely different perspective I could not imagine, Nicholas said.
He was a thoughtful, smart individual and voracious reader.
His father exposed him to all walks of life, Nicholas continued.
He had a circle of friends and acquaintances that spanned all walks of life, he said. I value that to
this day. It keeps you grounded.
Her husband loved politics, said Mrs. Parmelee, 68, a retired Solon teacher for 35 years. He
especially loved serving on City Council.
He had been an avid hunter beginning in his boyhood when he and friends would stalk the abundant
pheasants in the fields throughout Solon, Mr. Parmelee said. Many of the same group continued the
sport at Mrs. Parmelees Chautauqua property, often deer hunting.
Hunting season was always a big deal in our house, and we took a quick break to have
Thanksgiving dinner, Mrs. Parmelee said with a laugh. Even her daughter Whitney would hunt until
she once got lost in the woods.
Mr. Parmelee is survived by Terry Jr., 39, Whitney Eddington, 33, Nicholas and three grandchildren.
A celebration of his life took place Sept. 1 at the Pine Lake Trout Club in Bainbridge.
Pine Lake reflected his interests and love of the outdoors, Nicholas said. It had a flavor of what his
place is like in Chautauqua, which was a place he really valued.
He was a great guy, Solon Councilwoman and lifelong resident Nancy Meany said. I feel like I
knew him my whole life. Mr. Parmelee played basketball with her older brothers.
He really cared about Solon and was an all-around super guy, Mrs. Meany said.
Source: http://www.chagrinvalleytoday.com/communities/solon/article_e4cab932-7a98-11e6-aa713f8719d9605a.html
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