BUCKSPORT – Perley A. York, 77, died Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at a Bangor hospital. He was born June 7, 1932, in Winslow, the son of Perley W. and Florence L. (Audet) York. Perley attained the title of Eagle Scout at age 14 from Troop 135. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after high school from 1951 to 1955, serving honorably during the Korean War. He was instrumental in the creation of the Korean War Memorial at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. Perley worked as a quality control supervisor of an award-winning production department with the Bangor Daily News for 40 years. He was a proud member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Bucksport, for 30 years. Perley was a fourth degree Knight Color Corps commander with the Knights of Columbus. He served as the 5756th Council Grand Knight for 10 years and district deputy for four years. He will be sadly missed by many brother Knights and their wives. He was a cantor and Eucharistic minister providing communion service to those unable to attend due to illness. Perley was one of the youngest pilots to fly in the state of Maine. Perley loved to sing, hunt and fish. He spent countless hours giving selflessly to charitable organizations, particularly the Special Olympics. He especially cherished dancing with his devoted wife, Tina. He adored his family and was dearly loved in return. He is survived by his loving wife, Tina M. (Woodman) York; his 11 children, John and Julie York, Joseph and Rachel York, Lisa and Joel Gomez, Heidi and Dennis Lommen, Doreen and Skip Astbury, Celeste York, Jill and Harry Richos, Mary York, Eric York, Anthony and Elizabeth York, and Laurie and James Lovejoy; 21 grandchildren, Larry, Candi, Thomas, Anthony, Chelsea, Eric, Sara, Matthew, Gemma, Michael, Alexis, Lily, Brian, Jennifer, Elisa, Rebekah, Xavier, Antonio, Vladimir, Benjamin and Elizabeth; five great-grandchildren, Angelo, Octavia, David, Jacob and Lucy; and two sisters, Doris Armstrong and Pauline and Richard Denis. Perley was predeceased by his mother and father; his sister, Shirley Remmers; father-in-law, Lysle “Tena” Woodman; brother-in-law, Edward Thibodeau; and good friend and brother-in-law, J.R. Gifford. Family and friends will gather for visitation 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 19, at Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, 28 Elm St., Bucksport. We will celebrate his life 10 a.m. Saturday, March 20, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Franklin Street, Bucksport, with Father Bruce Siket officiating. Internment will be after the Mass at Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Silver Lake Road, Bucksport. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Perley’s memory may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Memorial Fund, P.O. Box S, Bucksport, ME 04416.
PERLEY A. YORK
