HERMON – Conrad Winston Perry, 83, husband of Mildred E. (Newman) Perry, died June 17, 2008, at his home, after a long battle with heart disease and cancer. He was born March 13, 1925, in Bangor, the eldest son of Ver-non and Edith (Canney) Perry. A graduate of Milo High School, he went on for further study at Toccoa Institute of Georgia, majoring in electrical engineering. While he was in college, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in March 1943, and served his basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. He was then stationed in England during World War II, and then to France with the U.S. 4th Infantry Division during the D-Day invasion of Normandy on Utah Beach, June 4, 1944. He was wounded in action in July 1944, and was discharged from the military, receiving the Purple Heart. Upon his return to the states, he married his high school sweetheart, Mildred E. Newman, May 12, 1945, and moved to the Bangor area, eventually locating to the Hermon area, where he had lived the rest of his life. He was an electrician and day foreman with the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad, Hermon Junction, for more than 27 years. Mr. Perry has a long history of dedicated contribution to the community. Well-known for his love of the state of Maine and the great outdoors and as an avid sports-man, he served as a Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America and helped establish scouting in the Hermon area in the 50s and 60s. Conrad was a lifetime member of the VFW. Due to a lifelong love of aviation, he began flying private airplanes in the 1950s and became a commercial pilot and performing flight charter work to the Allagash for vacationers and sportsmen through the 50s and 60s. He also was a member and officer of the Civil Air Patrol during this time. He also the served the town of Hermon as constable and Penobscot County as deputy sheriff for more than 20 years. After retiring from the railroad and deputy work due to his health in the 1970s, he established a contracting business, C.W. Perry & Co., Hermon. As his health declined, he wrote computer programs for building and estimating applications that were used throughout the Northeast. He continued to be an avid outdoorsman his entire life, fishing for trout and salmon throughout the lakes of northern Maine. Mr. Perry also enjoyed his gun collection and was an expert marksman. A lover of music, he played several instruments, such as trumpet, piano and keyboards. He was especially fond of pets, cats and dogs, and always showed kind compassion them. Mr. Perry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mildred; daughter, Linda J. Perry and companion, Keith Hart, of Lisbon; sons, Conrad Perry Jr. and wife, Kumcha, of South Portland, David V. Perry of Bangor, and John E. Perry and wife, Joyce, of South Berwick; grandchildren, Lauren Zito, Steve Mercier, Matthew Perry, Jacob Perry and Casey Emelia Perry; one great-grandchild, Josie Friedman; stepgrand-children, Brandy, William, Clifford and Michael; brother, Wendell Perry and wife, Beverly; sister-in-law, Joyce Perry; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents; and a brother, Lewis Perry. The thanks all of those who supported him during his illness. We send our heartfelt thanks to Community Health and Counseling Service Hospice staff for its caring ways and their kindness that will always be remembered. A graveside memorial service with military honors will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Route 222, Hermon, with the Rev. Robert T. Carlson, presiding. Arrangements by Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor. Condolences may be offered at www.kileyandfoley.com.
CONRAD W. PERRY
