Over 100 people gathered in Reaume Park Friday afternoon for the unveiling of the memorial honouring labour leader and community advocate Gary Parent.
Parent was the former president of the Windsor District Labour Council who fought for the environment, workplace health and safety, and poverty prevention.
"Some people would say Gary was a labour leader. No. He was more than that, he was a family man, he was a community activist, and he was a labour leader," said Ken Lewenza, former CAW National President. "As people come down here and reminisce or just get educated on the role that Gary Parent played, maybe they can take something away that means family is important, community is important, and without the labour movement, we would be way more disenfranchised than we are today."
The monument features three plaques honouring those three pillars of Parent's life, family, labour, and community. There are also stones to mark all of the committees Parent sat on and benches set in a semi-circle that will face the Charles Brooks Memorial Peace Fountain when it is replaced in 2027.
Parent's son, Jason Parent, said it was a very emotional day to see the monument unveiled and all the people who came out to celebrate his father.
"It's outstanding, it's phenomenal, it's beautiful, it's a great spot for people to come sit, reflect, enjoy the parks and what the city has to offer," said Jason Parent.
He said the memorial really became part of his dad's legacy after spreading some of his ashes before the official unveiling.
"Having that special moment with my dad's best friend, Uncle Mario, spreading his ashes here to just really have it that this really is a piece of Gary through and through," said Parent.
