Barbara Elizabeth Perruzzi

PORTLAND – Barbara Elizabeth Perruzzi of Portland, Maine passed away July 24, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 6, 1926 in Auburn, Maine the daughter of Herbert Leslie and Elizabeth (Briggs) Gatchell.

She graduated from Edward Little High School in 1944. During her senior year she worked at Seavey’s Soda Shop on Court Street. After graduation she worked at the Lewiston Sun Journal for 10 years.

She married Robert D. Perruzzi on August 7, 1954 at the Court Street Baptist Church in Auburn and then moved to Portland where she worked at the Portland Press Herald and Evening Express in the circulation department until her retirement in May of 1986.

Barbara was an avid bowler who bowled for years for St. Josephs bowling league at Northgate Bowl-a-Rama, Auto-ettes at Prides Corner Bowling, and the Foxy Ladies at Westport Bowling Alley.

She spent many weeks each year between 2004 and 2008 traveling to Las Vegas where she met a family from Dungannon, Northern Ireland, who each year would look her up and spend time in the casinos and bingo tables with her. When she no longer traveled to Las Vegas, she spent her time playing bingo and traveling to Oxford Casino.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents, her husband Robert Perruzzi in 2004, one week prior to their 50th wedding anniversary, and her brothers Herbert Gatchell Jr. and Richard Gatchell.

She is survived by her three children and their spouses: Jon P. Perruzzi and Lisa (Tardiff) Perruzzi of South Portland; Jay C. Perruzzi and Jennifer (Fredericks) Perruzzi of Southwest Harbor and Jill A. (Perruzzi) Wyman and Kevin Wyman of Pownal. Grandchildren Jessica Perruzzi of Saco, Courtney Perruzzi of South Portland; Adam and Mica Perruzzi of Southwest Harbor and Chandler and James Wyman of Pownal. Step grandchildren Brandon Wyman, wife Carrie, along with step great grandchildren Allie and Delaney Wyman; and Crystle (Wyman) Hincks, husband Matt.

She is also survived by sister-in-law Helen Gatchell of Auburn and her children Susan, Diane, David and Richard Jr. and brother-in-laws Enrico Perruzzi of Tampa, Florida and Albert and wife Jeanne of Minnesota as well as many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to a time of visitation from 4-6 pm on Friday, July 29, 2016, at Jones Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland, where a funeral service will follow at 6 pm.

A private burial at a later date will be at Brooklawn Memorial Park in Portland.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Barbara’s online guest book.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, 449 Stroudwater Street, Westbrook, Maine.