ROCKLAND and HOPE, Maine, and NOKOMIS, Florida — F. Perry Hooper, 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at St. Andrews Village in Boothbay, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Bucksport, Maine, to Floyd B. and Eula M. Hooper (nee Craft), Perry, known as "Sonny" by his family, was the eldest son of seven children. He moved to Rockland as a young boy attending schools where he was an avid basketball and pool player. He left high school early to support his family after his father suffered a back injury. Later in life he was invited to be an honorary member of the Class of 1954. In 1952, Perry married Joann Edwards. Together they raised two daughters in Rockland. Perry and Joann enjoyed farm life, travel trailer camping, snowmobiling and day trips on his Honda Gold Wing.

Perry was a gifted mechanic, carpenter, wood worker and handyman, able to fix anything. He took immense pride in his work. His 60 x 80 vegetable garden had straight rows and was meticulously weed free. He was particular about his manicured lawns; before the era of weed whackers, he would spend hours with hand clippers to ensure it was "neat looking." He also enjoyed hunting, WWF wrestling and auto races.

Although Perry worked for various local businesses: George Hall Construction, Marine Colloids, Ford Auto Garage, Martin Marietta, and Maritime Energy, his main career was truck driving 18 wheelers. Over the decades, Perry surpassed three million miles of driving. His work ethic and mechanical knowledge earned him top honors in state and national Truck Rodeos, where he was a three-time State of Maine champion and once missed the national title by a mere five points. He retired from Martin Marietta in 1982, Maritime Energy in 1996; thereafter, he spent summers as the maintenance man at Bishopwood Camp in Hope, finally retiring in 2018.

Following his divorce in 1989, Perry shared many hiking adventures with his second wife, Gail Hoppe Hall, including cross-country trips to National Parks and winters in Florida, until her passing in 2006. In 2007, he married Kathi Galli, with whom he enjoyed splitting time between Maine, Michigan, and Florida visiting with families, until her death in 2017.

During winters in Florida, Perry became an accomplished stained-glass artist, creating everything from glass panels to intricate lampshades to replicas of his son-in-law’s lobster boats. He remained a "snowbird" until 2025, when the progression of Alzheimer’s required him to stay closer to home in Maine.

Perry was predeceased by his parents; his brothers Donald and Ralph; his sisters Shearer Simonton and Audrey Payson; his second wife, Gail; his third wife, Kathi; and his son-in-law, Bradley “Butch” Rackliff.

He is survived by his siblings Midge Grimes of York and Charles Hooper of Thomaston; his first wife and mother of his children, Joann Hooper of Rockland; his daughters, Sherry Gagne of Rockland and Juliann Rackliff of Spruce Head; and his beloved grandchildren, who will forever remember their "Pop Pop": Gregory Gagne (Sara) of Bangor, Mitchell Gagne and partner Katherine Paulsen of Tenants Harbor, and Annie Gagne and partner Al Miller of Hope. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and a large extended family.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to the staff of St. Andrews Village Zimmerli Pavilion for their exceptional care and kindness shown to Perry during his stay and to his family on his final day.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 1 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 2 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland. Burial will follow the service at Rockville Cemetery, Rt. 17, Rockport.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pope Memorial Humane Society of Rockland.

To share a story or memory with the Hooper family, please visit their Book of Memories at bchfh.com

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.