FARMINGTON — Roderick J. Perry, 97, a lifelong resident of Jay, died early Friday evening, June 8, at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

He was born on Nov. 28, 1914, in Jay, the son of Joseph Allen and Clara Therrien Perry Sr. He attended local schools, graduating from Jay High School in 1933. He went on to attend classes at the University of Maine at Augusta. He began his working career at International Paper Co. in Jay in 1935. On Nov. 25, 1939, he married Mary Boucher at St. Rose of Lima in Jay.

He served in the U.S. Army from January 1944 to July 1945. He was in the European Theatre as a forward observer to an 88mm mortar company. He was very proud of many aspects of his service, including his first assignment, Task Force Rose, which cleared the way for Gen. Patton’s tanks into the interior of France. He was also part of the first American forces involved in the liberation of Paris. Later, he fought in the Hurtgen Forest Battle and the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded a Purple Heart for a wound he received.

Upon his return from the service, he went back to work at IP as a yard foreman. He retired in 1979 after 42 years. During that time he was a member of the Local Pulp and Sulfite Union and served as the president for 13 years.

He was very involved in the Jay community with his 13 years as a selectman, life membership in the Frank L. Mitchell VFW Post, Lane Dube AMVETS Post and the Toast Masters in Livermore Falls. During the early 1950s, he also ran for a state senate seat. One of his proudest endeavors was that he was the original founding member of the Otis Federal Credit Union in Jay in 1954.

He enjoyed golfing, trout fishing, playing the harmonica, listening to country music, playing cribbage, telling stories and playing shuffleboard during the 15 years he wintered in Florida with his wife.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Mary, of Jay; his son, Albert Perry and his wife, Janet of Littleton, N.H.; five grandchildren, Karen Boutin and her husband, Arthur Jr., of Lisbon, N.H., Kimberly Hutchins of Plymouth, Jennifer McVetty and her husband, AJ, of Littleton, N.H., Roderick Small and his wife, Mary, of Industry and Julia Small of Skowhegan; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandsons.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Sandra Small, on July 31, 1996; siblings, Arthur Jerry, Lilyan Mosher, Albert Perry, Allen Perry Jr. and Marguerite Shaban.

Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with his family on his tribute wall at www.wilesrc.com.