Joseph Perry

OXFORD - Joseph C. Perry, Sr., 66, died Saturday, May 11, 2013, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, from complications of diabetes. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Wendylou (Temple) Perry of Oxford; two sons, Joseph Perry Jr. and his wife Lisa of Woodstock, CT, and Eric Perry and his wife Jennifer of Webster; seven sisters and brothers, Mary Fey of Danville, KY, George Perry and his wife Donna of Westboro, Robert Perry and his companion Sandra Devaney of Mashpee, Ronald Perry and his wife Cindy of Charlton, Tina Benoit and her husband Chuck of Brasher Falls, NY, Pamela Smeagle and her companion John Doiron of Douglas, and Debra King and her husband Ray of Oxford; four grandchildren, Brittany Perry of Harmony, ME, Rebecca Andre-Perry of Woodstock, CT, Selena Perry and Mikayla Perry, both of Webster; and many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his daughter, Heidi M. Perry; his brother, Paul Perry; and his brother-in-law, Barry Fey. He was born in Worcester, the son of the late George A. and Priscilla (Balnis) Perry Sr., and lived in Oxford since 1990. Mr. Perry was a retired staff sergeant in the United States Army, serving for 20 years including time in Vietnam during the Vietnam War and in the demilitarized zone in Korea. He received the Purple Heart and numerous other awards for his service. Later, he worked at McNeil Engineering in Marlboro for many years. Mr. Perry was a member of St. Luke's Church in Westboro and a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post 9013 in Westboro. In his spare time, he enjoyed operating ham radios, computers, and fishing. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren. A funeral will be held on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, from Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, followed by a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Ann's Church, 652 Main St., North Oxford. Burial will follow at North Cemetery in Oxford. Calling hours are Tuesday, May 14, 2013, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Heidi M. Perry Scholarship Fund, c/o Bay Path R.V.T.H.S., 57 Old Muggett Hill Road, Charlton, MA 01507, or to the American Diabetes Assn., 10 Speen St., 2nd Floor, Framingham, MA 01701 .