PARKER – Henry Griffith Parker III, age 89, died peacefully on Saturday, July 9, 2016. Born October 27, 1926 in Plainfield, New Jersey. Henry served in the Navy in World War II. He was forever a supporter of and an example for his family and an ambassador of America’s greatness. Henry attended St. Andrew’s School and Lawrenceville before graduating in 1944. He earned his undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 1948. Henry was the inspiration and a founding member of The Princeton Tigertones in 1946. For over sixty-five years the Tones have remained Princeton University’s signature acappella group, pursuing opportunities to maintain a culture of good friends and good music to audiences across the globe.
Henry spent 48 years working for Chubb and Son. During his distinguished career at Chubb, he held many positions, including Senior Vice President and Managing Director. Early on, Henry saw the opportunity to build-out a multi-national insurance infrastructure to support globalization. He was instrumental in building Chubb’s global presence by establishing the Company’s international offices in China, India, Japan, Cuba and throughout Europe and South America.
Henry served on many boards, including the National Foreign Trade Council, Firemark Global Insurance Fund and Alliance Insurance Company. He was Chairman of the Business Advisory Committee for the United Nations Business Council and advisory board liaison for the People’s Insurance Company of China.
Henry also appeared on numerous television and radio programs and contributed articles to professional journals. He served as a trustee of Drew University and was Chairman of the Board at Overlook Hospital from 1973–1980.
He received the International Insurance Award from the United States Chamber of Commerce in 1981 and a Distinguished Service Award from the International Insurance Council in 1988. At the time of his death, he held memberships with The National Association of Insurance, American Insurance Association, Devon Yacht Club, Morris County Golf Club, Princeton Club of New York and Psi Upsilon.
Henry is survived by his wife of 59 years, Audrey Parker, his son H. Griffith Parker IV of Wayne, PA, his daughter, Elizabeth Parker Browne of Bethesda, MD, three grandchildren, three step- grandchildren, and one step great-grandchild. A Funeral service will be held on Thursday July 14th at 10:30am at Grace Episcopal Church, 4 Madison Avenue, Madison NJ, 07940.