Public Employee Press: PEP Talk
DC 37 mourns a union activist and City Assessor
By MIKE LEE
John W. Parris Jr., former three-term President of NYC Assessors, Appraisers & Housing Development Specialists Local 1757, and a New York City Assessor, passed away on July 28.
John, affectionately called ‘Bubby’ by his sisters and ‘Papa’ by his grandkids, was born in Brooklyn on March 20, 1940, to John W. Parris Sr. and Anna Gladys Gilreath. He graduated from Iona College, earning his Bachelor of Science degree and Master’s in Business Administration. Before entering public service, he worked for Cincinnati & Ohio Railroad and obtained his real estate broker license.
In 1986, John joined the New York City Department of Finance as an Assistant Assessor and retired as a Senior Assessor in 2017. He was a staunch fighter for union rights and was the founding president of the Liberty Chapter of the New York State Assessors Association.
John served as a scoutmaster of Troop 61 and adult leader of Troop 199. He was also involved in his church as a choir member and deacon.
John had a great sense of humor and the courage to face any adversities. He was an avid coin collector, as well as a collector of gems, stones, and crystals.
He is survived by his wife Ida, sons John, David, Daniel, and Edwin, and daughters Lisa, Vivian, and Jacqueline, nine grandchildren, and sisters Ella and Helen.
