Richard A. Perkins Jr. of Mystic, died Sunday, December 4, 2011 at Westerly Hospital after a long battle with heart disease.
He was born May 27, 1944 in New London, CT to Richard A. Perkins, Sr. and Emily Stoddard Perkins. He grew up in Mystic and graduated from Fitch Senior High School in 1963. He married Sally Jane Reed on February 15, 1969 and they have been married for 42 years.
Richard served as a policeman for the Groton Town Police for a little over a year after graduating for Fitch High School and then worked for 35 years at Electric Boat Corporation in Groton, CT as a machinist. He retired from Electric Boat in 1999. He spent his retirement traveling the country with his friends the Tetlows, camping, and spending time with his family.
Richard spent a good deal of his spare time in the service of others. He joined the Mystic Hook and Ladder Fire Company on September 4, 1962. He held several positions in the Hook & Ladder Fire Co during his time with the fire company including second second lieutenant, first second lieutenant, first lieutenant, captain, and assistant chief. In addition, he took several firefighting training courses throughout the years. Besides his work with the Hook and Ladder Fire Company, he was a member of the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association, the New London County Fire Marshals Association, the New London County Fire Chiefs, the Groton Ledyard Fire Officers and the Stonington Fire Officers. In addition to the service to the fire department, he was a member of Hoxie Ambulance and Mystic River Ambulance for over 40 years. He was a lifetime member of the Mystic Rod and Gun Club.
Richard is survived by his wife Sally, his mother Emily, and his brother James and his wife Rose. He also leaves behind 2 daughters, Maureen Perkins of Manchester, CT and Darlene Lemmon of Waterford, CT and a son-in-law, Joseph Lemmon. He also has two granddaughters, Amanda Arnold and Ellie Lemmon, who brought so much joy and happiness to his life.
His family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Thursday from 4-7pm. A Funeral Service will be conducted on Friday at 10:30am at the funeral home with The Rev. David L. Poole, officiating. Burial will be in Starr Hill Cemetery, Groton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mystic River Ambulance, PO Box 64, West Mystic CT 06388.
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