Dr. Parris was born Dec. 12, 1930, in Port of Spain, Trinidad (Belmont area), to Hubert and lsadora Turpin Parris, one of 11 children. His father was a tailor and his mother a homemaker. His siblings consisted of Sheila, Ashton, Wilma, Claudette, Joan, Jeannette, Ronald, Roderick, Raymond and Keith.

Herbert was nicknamed “Sonny,” since he was the first-born male child. He is still called by that name by family and close friends.

Herbert was educated at St. Margaret’s (Anglican) Grade School and Tranquility High School in Port of Spain. He went on to teacher’s college, also in POS. He taught fifth grade for approximately one year before being sent by the Trinidad government to attend the Fire Academy in England in 1951. He was a volunteer fireman (#195) before his additional education.

At the Fire Academy, he gained academic education, as well as application skills in fire management. He brought this field of knowledge back to Trinidad in 1953 as chief training officer (#167). He established the ongoing education of young recruits, as well as assisting in planning of fire policies, building a fire base (i.e. Piarco Airport), and worked to improve rapid response, as well as teaching CPR. He loved being a teacher and most loved being a fireman. He carried this deep affection, respect and admiration for firemen throughout his life, not only in Trinidad, but for firemen throughout the world.

He returned to England in 1961/1962 to proceed with an education in medicine. He started his pre-med studies in England, but completed his medical school studies at Howard University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C., graduating in 1968.

He started his internship at Youngstown Hospital in Ohio, with also a rotation at Presbyterian Hospital (now UPMC) in Pittsburgh in rheumatology.

During his time in England, he married Claudette Lemesy, whom he met in Trinidad; they were happily married for more than 40 years. They made many friends wherever they traveled. They had no children, but each member of their family, plus their friends, were the riches of their lives.

He and Claudette lived in Pittsburgh (1973 to 1976) for a short time when he proceeded on with a fellowship in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at St. Francis Hospital in Lawrenceville (Pittsburgh), under the mentorship / direction of Dr. Novak. He returned to Youngstown Hospital in 1976 and worked at Youngstown Hospital (South) Rehabilitation Department, and at Youngstown (North) and Hillside Hospital in Warren. He also started his private practice on Wick Avenue as a physiatrist (PM & R) and rheumatologist.

He was active in the medical community of Youngstown and developed many professional relationships. He also worked with the Tod Home for Children and Easter Seals.

His home turf in the U.S. was always Youngstown. He traveled back and forth from Youngstown to Trinidad throughout the years, starting in 1976, both for vacation (and to visit family and friends), as well as working at POS General Hospital and in private practice. His final PM & R days, prior to his retirement in 2008, were at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, and Hillside in Warren.

After the death of his wife, Claudette in 2002, he re-met a nursing friend (from his Pittsburgh rotation), Geraldine Guman. Their relationship led to marriage in August 2006. He moved to Pittsburgh after his retirement in 2008, until his death. He and Geri lived happily and continued to travel not only to Trinidad, but also to Europe, other Caribbean lslands and Canada, as well as in the U.S. He always found time to spend with family and friends.

He loved being a physician and working with his colleagues and PT staff. He was always known for his kindness and patience to his patients and willingness to share a good laugh. He had a deep affection for his favorite dog, Mandy, a German shepherd, who he said “always smiled at him.” Herbert’s life was a rich tapestry, starting with his family, his wives and friends.

Besides his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Sheila (Horace) Burgess, Ashton (Jean) Parris, Wilma (Valerie) Stanley, Joan (Edgar) Rodrigues, Roderick Parris, Ronald (Virginia) Parris and Raymond (Ann Marie) Parris.

He will be loved, remembered and missed by all. In addition to his wife, Geri, whom he loved, he is survived by two sisters, Claudette Cooke and Jeannette (Russell) Mitchell; a brother, Keith (Kathleen) Parris; and other Parris and Guman family members; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

A visitation walk through will be held 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at the L. E. Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home. On Wednesday, April 7, 2021, visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m., with private funeral services for family only beginning at 11:15 a.m. Interment will be private.

Due to the pandemic, all guests are asked to please wear masks and observe social distancing. For the health and safety of everyone, guests are asked not to linger at the funeral home after viewing.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests charitable donations to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, PAWS for Purple Hearts, Alzheimers Research, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Shriners Hospital, Light of Life Rescue Mission in Youngstown, Easter Seals, or to your favorite charity.

A service of love and dignity entrusted to the L. E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home.

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