Edwin D. Perry

He was born in Waterford on December 8, 1924, the son of the late Arthur J and Tina May (Damus) Perry Sr. He was a lifelong resident of Waterford.

Mr. Perry was the President of The Perry Agency, a real estate firm started in 1935 by his Father and is still the oldest business in Waterford.

He attended Chapman Technical High School in New London where he was on the varsity football team, graduating in 1943. Just prior to his graduation ceremony he was drafted into the US Army. A veteran of World War II, he served with the Signal Corps in Europe and after V-E Day was assigned to the Pacific. Sergeant Perry was decorated for his participation in the Battles of the Rhineland and Central Europe. He served with Headquarters Company, 67 Signal Battalion and was discharged after the war on January 31, 1946.

On April 21, 1986 he married Barbara Ellen Appleton of Salem.

He was very active in the community. He was the past President of the New London Board of Realtors, past Chief of the Oswegatchie Fire Company, past Waterford Fire Marshal, past President of the New London County Fire Chief’s Association, a member of the Waterford Republican Town Committee, a past member of the Waterford Board of Finance, and also a past member of the Waterford Industrial Development Commission.

He was a life member of the New London Lodge of Elks, a member of the American Legion, a charter member of the Waterford VFW Post 6573 and a past member of the Connecticut State Police Auxiliary. Mr. Perry was also a charter member and past President of the Waterford Athletic Association and charter and life member of the North American Hunting Club.

In addition to his wife he is survived by four children he raised with Barbara: daughter Ellen Marie Brideau, her husband Rick and their children, Megan and Elizabeth of Londonderry, New Hampshire, Robin Lea O’Loughlin, her husband Tim and their children Caitlyn and Shawn Patrick of Waterford, Richard A. Provencher and his children Talia and Skylar of Montville, and Colin C. Provencher, and his fiancé Heather Washburn of Oakdale. He is also survived by two brothers Arthur J. Perry Jr. and his wife Josephine, Francis W. Perry Sr., and a sister, Virginia Marie Bliven, and his sister-in-law Jean Perry all of Waterford and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son Edwin D. Perry Jr, a sister, Geraldine Ward, and a brother Donald B. Perry Sr.

A procession will assemble at 9:30am on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 181 Ocean Ave., New London, CT 06320 for a Mass of the Christian Burial to be held at St. Joseph Church, Squire St., New London at 10:30am. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in New London with full military honors. Calling hours will be 2:00 to 4:00pm and 6:00 to 8:00pm on Friday, July 29, 2011 at the Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home., New London, CT. Please visit www.fultontherouxnewlondon.com for photos, tributes, directions and more service information.

Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of Southeastern CT, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT 06360 or the Waterford Ambulance Service , 89 Rope Ferry Rd., Waterford, CT 06385.

Another patriot and member of the “Greatest Generation” has passed on.