Obituary

Robert Perry, obituary

Sat, 02/21/2015 - 3:00pm

SPRUCE HEAD — Robert M. Perry, 70, died Feb. 17, 2015, surrounded by his family at his home.

Born in Rockland on May 3, 1944, he was the son of Alden T. and Helen F. Gregory Perry. He attended local schools and was a 1962 graduate of Rockland High School.

He married Jill Long on Jan. 25, 1964. They made their home together in the same house in which Robert grew up in for more than 29 years, until building their Spruce Head home.

From 1967 to 1980, he worked driving trucks with Martin-Marietta at the Thomaston cement plant. The next 14-plus years, he enjoyed the many friends he made delivering seafood to customers in Vermont. From 1995 to 2012, with his wife, Robert worked in Florida, first at the Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande. They later worked with private families and in that capacity, often worked on Nantucket Island and in Rochester, N.Y.

Robert's perfectionism was evident in everything he did, whether playing a good game of cribbage, crafting another beautiful Adirondack chair in his shop, working summers on his lobster boat or sharing his opinions with any who might listen. He had an analytical mind and was somewhat competitive in everything he did.

Regardless of the endeavor he was involved in, it was usually discussed at length with his longtime friend, Floyd Oliver.

Robert's family remembered him as a driven, hardworking, honest man who was devoted to his family and friends. "Buppa" loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, which often included Doug and Laura McLennan and their children, Shawn and Thomas, all whom he considered family.

He was looking forward to the birth of two more great-grandchildren this year, one which he was pleased to learn would bear Robert's fathers' name, Alden.

Robert is survived by his wife and soulmate, Jill; one son, Marshall Perry and his wife, Alicia, of Rockland; three daughters, Wendy Daggett and her husband, Gregori, of Union, Tracy Harjula and her husband, Jeffrey, of South Thomaston, and Meredith Perry of Spruce Head; two brothers, Warren T. Perry and his wife, Diane, of Rockland, and Arthur S. Perry of Rockport; eight grandchildren, Gregori Jr., Brittany, Erick, Josh, Jasmin, Samantha, Stephanie and Marina; seven great-grandchildren, Sebastian, Noah, Cole, Eli, Emery, Bella and Farrah; as well as one niece, Brenda Walsh of Owls Head.

A celebration of Robert's life will be announced in the spring.

Those who wish may make memorial donations to the Ronald McDonald House of Bangor, 654 State St., Bangor, ME 04401-5649, or the St. George Firefighters and Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 249, Tenants Harbor, ME 04860.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home.