DIXFIELD — Perlie R. Durgin, 91, of Weld Street in Dixfield, left this world peacefully at his home on Sunday, March 5.

He was a communicant of Holy Savior Parish and had been lector at St. Joseph’s Church in Dixfield for many years before it closed. Perlie was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He was born in West Forks, on May 29, 1925, the son of Mary Ellen Gorman and Perlie E. Durgin. He was the youngest of five children. At the age of 17, Perlie enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and proudly served his country in North Africa and Italy, where he fought in the Battle of Anzio. He received several medals, including the Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal. Perlie was awarded an Eagle Cane on his 90th birthday.

Perlie married Mildred Cayford in 1947 and they eventually moved to Dixfield, where they raised four children. Perlie worked for years as a meat cutter at Sampson’s Market in Rumford and Holmes’ IGA Market in Dixfield. He also worked as a clerk at the Dixfield Post Office and has been retired for several years from the post office.

After his first wife’s death in 1979, Perlie met and eventually married (Mary) Louise Boyle; together they traveled the world until declining health prevented Louise from traveling. She passed away in 2009.

Perlie loved books and reading, especially reading about history. He also loved gadgets of any sort and he loved trying new and updated electronics of any type. Although Perlie never attended college, he was a self-taught intellectual and gladly shared his vast knowledge of many subjects with others. Well into his 80s, Perlie purchased a laptop computer and taught himself how to navigate the internet. His laptop opened a whole world to him and until recently he read five to six newspapers each day on his laptop, including the New York Times and the Boston Globe.

Perlie eventually purchased a Kindle and continued his love of reading on his Kindle as well as his regular books. Until recently, he printed daily crossword puzzles, the hardest ones he could find, and completed them with ease. Perlie was also learning about Apple products while using his iPad.

In 2014, Perlie took in a stray cat that soon had kittens. Mamma Kitty, Trouble, Tiger Paws and Spike provided Perlie with hours of entertainment and company during his final years.

Perlie is survived by two daughters, Sonjia Ellis and her husband, Carl, of Rumford, and Donna Landry and her husband, Jim, of Mexico; three grandchildren, Dawn Drapeau and her husband, Gadi, Jamie Smith, and Joel Landry and his wife, Stormie; nine great-grandchildren; and two cousins, Sharon Cullens and Sue Brown. Other survivors include Perlie’s caregivers of many years, Julie Thibodeau Patrick, Cindy Lane and Lori Gallant. They provided excellent care to Perlie until the end of his life.

Perlie was predeceased by two wives; two sons, James and John; and a grandson, Lee Landry. He was also predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Oscar and Ben; and two sisters, Emily and Florence.

Friends and relatives are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at www.meaderandson.com.

Perlie R. Durgin