Richard Donald Perry died unexpectedly on July 16, 2025 in Owls Head, Maine. Richard loved to cook and entertain, which made his early career of bartending a natural fit. Later on, he transitioned into finish work for home builders, work at which he excelled. These skills lent themselves well to building a dream home with and for his adored wife, Candy.

Richard was born on January 23, 1957 in Charlotte, Michigan, the son of William L. Perry and Hope B. Paulsen. He was named after both his uncles, Richard and Donald Paulsen. His family moved to Maryland where his father worked for the Park Service. After his parents divorced in the 1960s, Richard and his siblings loved visiting their father, who had an apartment next to the National Zoo where they spent many happy weekends.

In 1966, his mother moved the family to Maine where she grew up. They lived across the road from his uncle Donald’s farm on Route 131 in South Thomaston. Richard and his siblings grew up with Donald’s three kids, Donnie, Tammy and Lori. Richard and Donnie would get into mischief when they were not working on the farm.

He graduated from Rockland District High School in 1975. Richard was a member of the local color guard and loved taking karate lessons. After graduation, he moved to Portland, Maine. There, he earned a black belt in karate from Master Choi. He was the bell captain at the then Sonesta where he had the opportunity to meet celebrities including Ozzy Osborne, Christie Brinkly, and Scott Hamilton.

In the late 1980s, he married Bethany Carpenter Fortunato. Together they renovated a house in South Portland and welcomed their only child, Alexandria Hope Perry. In 1994 Richard earned a diving certification and began diving for urchins.

After Richard and Beth divorced, he moved back to the midcoast Maine area where he soon met his second wife, Candy McMahan Perry.

In 1997 Richard and Candy got married at Birch State Park “Lucia Beach” in Owls Head. They honeymooned in the Grand Canyon. The home they had built together was paradise for both of them: tucked away among the trees and flanked by their own sheltered bit of ocean a stone’s throw from where they married. Richard took great pleasure in cultivating and sculpting the grounds and in recent years built a beautiful Finnish sauna for their health and enjoyment.

Richard will be missed for his passion for deer hunting, humor and love of nature.

Richard was predeceased by his mother, Hope; father, Bill; step-mother, Bernice; and many uncles and aunts.

He is survived by his wife Candy Perry; daughter Alex Perry (Jen); sisters Cindy O’Donoghue (Rick), Ruth Walsh (Mark), Marilyn Johnson (Rick), Carolyn Perry (Gary; and brother David Perry (Paula); half siblings Barbara and Robert Perry; step-siblings Julia Rana, Wendy Goldenthal and Mark Goldenthal; his in-laws, Dickie McMahan, Carol Ann McMahan, Stephanie and Scott Herrick, and Michael McMahan; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to your favorite nonprofit or George’s River Land Trust.

A celebration of life will be held privately August 16,at 1 p.m., at his house in Owls Head with family and friends.