Hiram Mather Perry

Former Selectman, Dies At 87

Hiram M. Perry, 87, died after a short illness December 24 at his home in Newburgh, Maine, surrounded by his family.

He was born on April 11, 1917, in Norwalk, the fourth son of William C. and Ethel Clock Perry. The family moved to a farm on Toddy Hill Road, Sandy Hook, when he was very young. He and his brothers attended the little one-room school near their home. He graduated from Newtown High School in 1934.

During World War II, he served in the US Army and spent three years in Newfoundland with a supply unit.

In 1946 he married Frances H. Smith of Newtown. In 1948 he was elected as second selectman in Newtown.

He worked at the Eastern States Farmers Exchange Warehouse in Bethel and in 1949 he was transferred to the main office in West Springfield, Mass. He was on the staff of The Cooperator for 28 years, and as an agricultural journalist, traveled extensively throughout the Northeast, doing photography, as well as writing the stories.

For 20 years Hiram and Frances resided in Suffield, where he was active in local politics, began his career in furniture making, and managed a small farm with his children.

In 1967 he left the cooperative after it became Agway, and moved his family to Maine to realize his ambition to dairy farm. There he and his son owned and operated large dairy farms.

Upon his retirement from the dairy business, he returned to his hobby of woodworking. Mr Perry remodeled a schoolhouse in Dixmont, Maine, for his cabinet shop, and for a number of years he built custom furniture, and displayed his clocks, unique folding baskets, and “Lazy Susan’s” at craft shows throughout northern New England.

In his semiretirement, Mr Perry started an intensive study of the environmental movement. He consulted with 15 nationally known and respected scientists, who helped him. He published a newsletter to keep legislators in Augusta informed. He frequently attended hearings in Augusta, defending property rights, land grabs, and other environmental matters. Some of his articles can be found on the Internet by typing in “Hiram Perry.” He was a skeptic of many environmental movements and enjoyed his truth-seeking efforts.

The past four summers Mr Perry returned to Newfoundland with his wife and daughter, Judy, where he enjoyed reminiscing and marveling at the improved economy.

He was an avid member of the “Troop Greeters” at Bangor International Airport and he gave a pint of blood at the Red Cross as often as was allowed.

Mr Perry is survived by Frances, his loving and devoted wife of 58 years; daughters Judith Perry of Stamford, Betsy Chapman and husband, John, of Hampden; a son William C. Perry, Sr, and wife, Cynthia Cressey Perry, of Dixmont, Maine; five grandchildren, William C. Perry, Jr, of Bangor, Susan Marble of St Albans, Anne-Marie Perry of Dixmont, Carolyn Adams of Houston, Texas, and Randall Adams of Alexandria, Va.; three great-grandchildren, Sean Marble and Michael and Megan Adams; one brother, Richard B. Perry of Bethel; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by four brothers, Jack, William, Dean, and Robert Perry.

Those who wish may make a donation to the Maine Children’s Scholarship Fund, which provides assistance to parents committed to education excellence, a goal that Mr Perry strongly supported. The address is MCSF, 27 State Street, Suite 64A, Bangor, ME 04401.

A memorial service was held in Bangor on January 15. Following the service, friends and family gathered at the Family Center to remember him.

The Newtown Bee        January 28, 2005