John Perry

BANGOR - John R. “Jack” Perry Sr. passed away peacefully June 23, 2022. Jack lived a happy and full life in his own home until the age of 92. He became gravely ill in February of 2021 but was fortunate to have “Team Jack” to work together to allow him to remain as independent as possible in his own home. He died one week after burying his son, Randy. He was born August 12, 1929, in Bangor, the son of Orrell F. and Mary F. (McAuley) Perry.

Jack grew up in Bangor and for the last 30 years, enjoyed great, long-time friends and neighbors, Charlie and Mary Carol who were always willing to help. He earned an Accounting Degree at Husson College. He served four years in the United States Navy. He was stationed in Sanford, Florida, and Guantanamo Bay of which he had many stories and a place he always wanted to go back to. During his time in the service, he sent money home regularly to his mother and when he returned, he bought a car and drove his mother to church every Sunday.
He married Lorena Lancaster and had two children, Randy and Kathy. Jack retired in June 1990 as the Personnel Director for the City of Bangor. After retirement, he continued to consult with cities and towns as he was a highly skilled and respected negotiator. He was remembered by many for his retirement tips and strategies.

Jack was the patriarch of the family and loved his family beyond measure. He loved all family gatherings that his daughter organized throughout the years. Family members recall all his sage advice along with lively conversation regarding sports including those he and his family were in as well as professional. He would never take his credit due for leading his teams to victory, being the humble and modest man that he was. He was very kind and generous to those in need. He was a great “coach” to many in the skills of water skiing. Early in his marriage, he built a camp on Branch Lake, “the house that Jack built” much of which was with his bare hands. He loved it there sitting by the lake enjoying stories. Jack tremendously enjoyed his surprise 80th birthday party at Branch Lake. He is remembered by all for his great smile.

He was a man of many routines such as lemon poppy seed muffins every day at Tim Horton’s, and previously grilled English muffin and coffee at Nicky’s until it closed. He left several servers in his will but ended up giving it to them before they closed. He read the Boston Herald every day which he purchased from the Corner Store where they would get only two and saved one for him. Being a frugal man, when the paper got too expensive, he just got the Sunday paper.

Jack is survived by his daughter, Kathy Gillespie (always a daddy’s girl) and her husband, Rod; longtime companion, Diane Littlefield, Randy's fiancée, Jeannie Spencer; grandsons, Mike and Tom Perry; great grandsons, Dylan Leighton, Jack McCue Perry and Kyle McCue Perry; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Lorena, son, Randy and his beloved “grand dog”, Bailey. He was the last surviving sibling of Orrell and Mary Perry.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Mt. Pleasant Catholic Cemetery, Ohio St., Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor, following the interment. Those who wish to remember Jack in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the American Diabetes Association by visiting https://www.diabetes.org/ways-to-give/by-mail.