BAR HARBOR and DEXTER – Frank Joesph Perry nicknamed “Bo,” 84, died peacefully Jan. 8, 2010. Frank was born March 9, 1925, in New London, Conn., the eldest son of 16 children and one stepbrother. After graduating from New London High School, Frank went into the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, and he became a belly gunner on a B-24J Liberator Bomber. Frank and the crew of Bomber No. 68 made many flights into German held territories on bombing missions. On one mission Frank and the bombardier of the plane had to go out on the “catwalk” in the open bomb bay and kick free a stuck bomb so the flight could make a safe landing at the base. On Frank’s 20th birthday, March 9, 1945, his plane went down in Zarda, Yugoslavia. The crew and plane were found at the same time the Air Force sent out the “missing in action” letter to his mother. Frank was awarded the prestigious Army Air Force Air Medal as well as other service awards. The young sergeant was then stationed at Dow Air Force Base, where he met the love of his life, Helmi Paakki, on a blind date. They married in September 1949, and they settled in Pittsfield. Frank was a man of many talents and worked hard all his life. He loved his Coca-Cola and when he got a job driving a Pepsi truck he had to hide his passion for Coke; eventually he left the job to drive an oil truck. Then Frank became a hand stitcher for Dexter Shoe Co. Frank’s greatest accomplishment was starting Dexter Shoe Credit Union, which eventually became Dexter Regional Federal Credit – all this with Helmi at his side. He loved being outdoors hunting, fishing, and especially playing golf with his buddies. There was always activity at the Perry’s household with friends young and old around the pool table where he picked up the nickname of “Fingers at the Rail.” Frank is survived by his three children, Karen Perry and her partner, Stephen Keiser, Frank Perry and Mark Perry; four grandchildren, Amanda Stitham and her husband, Erich, Morgan Perry, Alex Perry and Erin Perry; and four great-grandchildren, Joshua Perry, Julia and Nicholas Stitham, and newly arrived Braden Ricker. He is survived by his brothers Robert Perry, Herbert Perry, James Perry and William Perry; and his sisters, Helena Ilvento, Ann Winn, Alice Anderson, Gail Havey and Marcella McEwen. Frank was predeceased by his loving wife, Helmi; his stepbrother, Albert Perry; and sisters, Marie Lott, Francis Branzell and Columbia Hart. The family thanks the staff of Birch Bay Village for all their compassion and care of their beloved Father. There will be a celebration of Frank and Helmi’s life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Helmi and Frank Perry Scholarship Fund, Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 233, Dexter, ME 04930. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 48 Eden St., Bar Harbor. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
FRANK JOESPH PERRY
