Robert P. Perry

1926 – 2009

SOUTH PARIS – Robert P. Perry, 83, of Hartford, died Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Maine Veterans’ Home.

He was born in Hebron on Oct. 14, 1926, the son of Nelson L. and Marguerite Pearl Perry. He attended schools in Hebron, West Minot and Buckfield before leaving in the 10th grade to join the U. S. Navy during World War II. He received his honorary diploma in June 2007.

He worked at A.C. Lawrence as a shop steward for 30 years. He was a union organizer for the AFL-CIO. He was first selectman for the town of Hartford for seven years, and served as selectman for another seven after that.

He was a member of the Streaked Mountaineers and the Oxford County Municipal Officers Association, serving as president for four  years.

He married June Pearl DeCoster on Oct. 18, 1946.

He is survived by three sons, James Burton Perry and his wife, Rebecca, and Stephen Allen Perry, all of Buckfield, and David Wayne Perry and his wife, Elaine, of Hartford; five grandchildren, Suzanna Pennington and her husband, Andy, JoAnna Calvi and her husband, Bobby, Diana Perry Rowe and her husband, Jason, Adrienne Abbott and her husband, Sean, and Devon Perry and his wife, Jen; six great-grandchildren, Kasey and Ashley Pennington, Kylie, Robert and Aaron Rowe, and William Abbott.

He was predeceased by his wife in August 2009; a son, Jerry Perry; a sister, Rita; two brothers, Richard and Roger; and a daughter-in-law, Sibylle Perry.