BAILEYVILLE – Vaughn Arnold Perkins, 81, passed away Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, with his family by his side, at a Machias hospital, after a lengthy battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Vaughn was born July 31, 1931, in Alexander, son of the late Leonard and Muriel (Cox) Perkins.
After graduating from St. Croix High School, class of 1949, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Vaughn was a Korean War veteran, serving in Okinawa as an airplane mechanic. After the war he returned home and met Madalyn Brown. On Aug. 19, 1955, four months after meeting his one true love, Madalyn, they were married on Campobello Island. Shortly after Vaughn started his career as an electrician, working his way from an apprentice, journeyman and finally a master electrician. Throughout his career he traveled New England with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1253, working in various construction jobs, including pulp and paper mills and nuclear power plants. On the day Vaughn passed, he received his 55-year member certificate from I.B.E.W. Local 1253. He was a member of People’s United Methodist Church, past member of the Spednic Club, served on the Woodland School Board and was a proud member of William T. Wren Post No. 23 American Legion, where he served as post commander.
In addition to his parents, Vaughn was predeceased by his two brothers, Albert and Lloyd. Surviving are his loving wife of 57 years, Madalyn Perkins; four children, Rodney Perkins and his wife, Linda, of Marshall, Va., Nancy Day and her husband, Geoff, of Berwick, Cathy Wilcox of Alexander and Pamela Parady of Topsham; nine grandchildren, Corey Perkins and his wife, Kate, of Arlington, Va., Terry Perkins and his wife, Pat, of Gaithersburg, Md., Stephanie Perkins and her husband, Hank Woolman, of Marshall, Va., Heather Day of Missoula, Mont., Jeremy Day of Jamaica Plains, Mass., Lauren Wilcox of Alexander and Autumn, Elijah and Tianna Parady of Topsham; two great-grandchildren, Gavin and Hudson Woolman; one sister, Eleanor Dobbs of St. Joseph, Mo.; a special son-in-law, Larry Wilcox of Alexander; many nieces and nephews; and his canine companion, Pugsy. The family thanks the wonderful people at Atlantic Rehabilitation, Calais, and Marshall’s Health Care, Machias, for the excellent care given to Vaughn.
A celebration of Vaughn’s life will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, at Mays Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Calais. A spring burial with military rites will be held at Woodland Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.maysfuneralhome.com.
Vaughn A. Perkins
