In Memoriam

            EAST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP

1580 PAOLI PIKE l WEST CHESTER, PA 19380

610-692-7171 l 610-692-8950 Fax

www.eastgoshentownship.org

Township Names Parry Circle after Fallen Fire Chief   

A new street sign at Parry Circle will be unveiled at a special dedication ceremony Saturday, October 15 at 9:00 a.m. The public is invited to attend. The street is to be named in honor of Assistant Chief George H. Parry who lost his life while responding to a fire alarm. Parry is the only Goshen Fire Company member to die in the line of duty. This short ceremony will include remarks by Township officials, representatives of the Fire Company, Parry family members and other invited guests. We are also extending invitations to other local fire companies so that they can honor their fallen comrade.

Parry Circle is located off Park Avenue about 150 feet east of the Goshen Fire Company. The sign’s cedar post is painted green with the top of the sign routed and outlined in red.

Coordinator Jack Yahraes praised those involved with the naming of the street. “The Historical Commission, the Planning Commission, the Board of Supervisors and the East Goshen Township Staff are grateful for the opportunity to apply a locally meaningful name to one of our streets. What better way is there to perpetuate the honor of George Parry.”

Chief Parry gave his life in the fire service for his community on October 29, 1955. Two other firefighters were injured in the same accident. The Tanker truck on which they were riding overturned on a sharp curve at the old Railroad Bridge on Route 29 / Phoenixville Pike about one mile east of the West Chester Borough.

The men were responding to a barn fire on that Saturday morning at 7:05 a.m. and were only a mile away from the fire scene when the accident occurred. Chief Parry was pinned underneath the truck. He was 53 years old. He also served as the first Fire Police Chief from 1950 – 1951.

Goshen Fire Company was a way of life for his family. His wife Edith was a Charter Member and officer in the Ladies Auxiliary and remained involved until her health failed. Their son David and their son Michael (who was only13 months old when his father was killed) were both active members until they moved from the area. Grandson Ken Windle served as President of the Goshen Fire Company from

1987 – 2001.

Goshen Fire Company was organized July 21, 1950 at a meeting of Guy Chillas, Fred LaChappelle, Herbert Schmitt, Tom Smith, Herbert Stafford and Joseph Supplee. Along with George Coffey, Ira Hicks and William Hoopes, they formed the first Board of Trustees.

Last year the East Goshen Historical Commission suggested the name “Parry Circle” to developer John Falcone of the D. Falcone Company, Inc. He agreed the name would be quite appropriate given the street’s proximity to the Fire House on Park Avenue. Sales for the six-home subdivision that received approval from the Township Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors is being handled by Kit Anstey of Prudential, Fox and Roach Realtors.

The Historical Commission is currently working with several other developers in naming new streets and developments. Historical Commission Chairman Linda M. Gordon praised the cooperation of the developers and commented that the Township has a “golden opportunity to use historically significant local names that will create more of an awareness of the Township’s rich history.”