Harry Corrow (9/9/1955 – 2/24/2006) served as Newport’s Recreation Department Director for decades. He was respected and beloved in our community and in the broader parks and recreation community around New England. He suffered from severe depression and took his own life, leaving his wife and their two sons.
It was heartbreaking. But hardly an isolated event. Depression leading to suicide takes at least 45,000 lives annually. It is the tenth leading cause of death in the US. On a per capita basis, it is rising each year.
We honor Harry’s service to our community with the Harry Corrow Freedom Run, held each year on July 4th on the Newport-Derby Bike Path and the Memphremagog Ski Touring Foundation Trails. We celebrate freedom from tyranny, freedom from asphalt, freedom of choice of distance, and freedom of spirit.
We also hope to quietly but firmly raise awareness on the prevalence of depression, its serious downdraft on our community, and the value of reaching out to others who may be in distress. Sometimes a telephone call, a cup of coffee, or a “walk and talk” can make a BIG difference. Funding for mental health services always faces challenges. In Harry’s memory, we are dedicating 20% of all fees and seeking additional donations to the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Vermont, which can be made at www.namivt.org.