LEWISTON – Lewis Bion “Lew” Perkins, 69, of Livermore, died Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Central Maine Medical Center surrounded by his loving wife and family after a battle with leukemia.

He was born in Lewiston, April 16, 1937, the son of Audry T. and Thelma Marie (Gray) Perkins. He was educated in Turner and Buckfield schools, graduating from Buckfield High School in 1955. He went on to attend Southern Maine Technical College.

Lew began his working career at Snow’s in Auburn as a salesman and service department sales manager. He later worked at Fordland in Auburn, before co-owning and operating, Perkins Upholsterers and Decorating Service on Lisbon Street in Lewiston, and later on Spring Street in Auburn.

He moved the business to his home in Livermore and ran it as The Center Shop Inc. A very skilled craftsman, he did both commercial and residential upholstery, but specialized in antiques. His work was in great demand and he now has furniture throughout the eastern United States. He was especially proud of his work for the Community Little Theater in Auburn and the Maine State Senate Chamber.

He completed the course for the Maine State Tax Assessors, served as a selectman for the town of Buckfield, recently became a member of the solid waste board in Livermore, was appointed to the planning board for the town of Livermore and was a member of the New Norlands Grange.

His hobbies included beekeeping, which led him to join the Western Maine Bee Keeper’s Association, home restoration and repair and spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie (Wilkins) of Livermore, whom he married on Aug. 12, 1972; five children and their families, Bonnie E. Hurley, and her husband, Kevin, of Colebrook, N.H., Dr. Penelope Marie Perkins-Veazie, and her husband, Ray, of Durant, Okla., Dr. Lewis Brian Perkins, and his wife, Joan, of Veazie, Peter Paul Perkins, and his significant other, Sally Zankowski, of Colebrook, N.H. and Suzanne Elaine Perkins, and her significant other, Matt Rasmusson, of Colebrook, N.H.; grandchildren, Megan Prehemo, and her husband, Jeff and their children, Cole and Carter, of Pittsburg, N.H., Jessica Laflamme and her children, Isabelle and Hannah of Loudon, N.H., Jennifer Hurley of Loudon, N.H., Calla and Patrick Veazie of Durant, Okla. and Jesse Perkins of Veazie; mother-in-law, Millicent Thyng of Livermore; former mother-in-law, Mildred Bellavance of Buckfield; former sisters-in-law, Deb Cooke, and her husband, Donald, of Columbia, Marcia Whitman, and her husband, Donny, of Buckfield and Ellie Pearson of Colebrook, N.H.

He was predeceased by his parents; father-in-law, Howard Thyng; infant sister, Methyl Perkins; three brothers at birth; and former brother-in-law, Warren Pearson.

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