The memory of a late and beloved executive of Summit County forever will greet those who enter the Barberton location of the Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board.
“As time goes by, I hope that people walk into this building and they see the name Russ Pry and they’ll ask the question, ‘Who was he?’ ” said Randy Briggs, a Summit DD board member appointed by Pry. “The answer will be, ‘He was a man who cared about people. He cared about helping people.’”
County officials dedicated the Hopocan Avenue facility to the late Pry, who passed away in July from colon cancer complications. Pry had attended a ribbon cutting ceremony when the center opened in 2010. The late county executive served in his post from 2007 to 2016.
“If you knew Russ, you knew he was a believer,” said Barberton Mayor Bill Judge. “He believed in hard work, he believed in community, he believed in people.”
To commemorate Pry’s collaborative spirit, a tree has been planted beside a plaque inscribed with the late county executive’s words: “I call upon all of our citizens to join us in working toward a future where there are no road blocks or barriers, just acceptance and opportunity.”
“Russ was very unique in making everybody feel special, to make us understand that we are diverse, we are interesting, are all different people but we all want the same things,” County Executive Ilene Shapiro said as she presented the Summit DD with a framed photo of Pry during the dedication ceremony this week. “He was so helpful and willing to give of himself.”
Doug Livingston can be reached at 330-996-3792 or dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @ABJDoug .