Perry Alan Clark of Steep Falls passed away in Maine Medical Center in the early morning of January 9, 2022 at the age of 61 after a prolonged battle with COVID-19 that began in mid-November of 2021.
Perry was the son of William Ray Clark and Jacqueline Mayben and was born in Exeter, California on May 26, 1960. After graduating high school in Exeter, Perry went on to College of the Sequoias in Visalia, CA and then later graduated from Fresno State College where he received a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design with a major in metallurgy. He was a brilliant mind who enjoyed subjects such as chemistry, mathematics and engineering which would influence his later works as he mastered the careful balancing of ratios and chemical compositions that would define his mastery of the airbrush and unique processes he pioneered to make one-of-a-kind pieces of art.
While in California Perry became a successful sign writer, silver jewelry crafter and mural artist who also completed post graduate work at Fresno State. Perry was almost entirely artistically self taught who learned how to paint windows and seasonal commercial displays by shadowing his father, William Clark, at an early age. He was best known in Tulare county of California for painting the giant water towers of the fruit groves to announce local events like birthdays and weddings and achieved local celebrity for his large-scale artwork that still adorns the walls of homes and businesses throughout Maine and California including a great billowing American flag on the side of Plummer’s Shop’n Save and an unfinished hallway of the Bangor Masonic Center.
He met his first wife Michelle Clark while she was nursing his grandmother and would leave California shortly after having two children in Visalia, CA to reside in Buxton, Maine in 1995. When asked why he would make such a large move he noted that he wanted a better life for his new family away from the rising hazards of living in such a populated area. His desire for his children to live a better life was a consistent motivation to him and he was widely known for his child-like sense of wonder and supportive presence to those who needed help the most.
Perry was self employed for much of his life and provided for his family by painting fine automotive works, commercial murals, as well as portraits and prints of subjects ranging from western Americana to custom works. He spent much of his later life participating in local organizations like the Standish Kiwanis Club and Buxton Masonic Lodge where he was recognized for his leadership and served as both President and Lodge Master respectively for periods of time.
One cannot remember Perry without telling of his outstanding intellect and devotion to making even the simple things in life magical to his friends, family and colleagues. His children fondly recall walks through the forest in which he would explain mathematical concepts like the Fibonacci spirals present in pine cones and the medicinal qualities of certain roots that when chewed could remedy tooth aches and infections. Perry took great pride in sharing his knowledge through detailed presentations for his Masonic brothers that would take him to halls and lodges across the eastern coast of America
Perry was so much more than just a father to his children; both Sara and Bryce saw him as a friend, a mentor, and a kindred soul who taught them the value of unconditional love and finding one’s path in the world. He enjoyed traveling to Florida and line dancing with the love of his life, Sandra Pelletier, and was actively pursuing his magnum opus of inventing an installation art piece that would combine elements of mechanical engineering, optical illusion and symbolism in the years leading up to the present.
Fearless is perhaps the best word to describe his nature - as a young father he terrified his family by taking part in skydiving and was recognized in Buxton for his unique Christmas lighting technique in which he would free climb to the tallest tree in their yard and run a string of lights down to the roof of their home. Perry also enjoyed bungee jumping in California and was known for his distance long trips in his Bronco and driving his telltale black 62’ Chevrolet truck across the United States during the move to Maine.
Perry is survived by his two brothers, Marvin L. Clark of Oakdale, CA and Andrew W. Clark of Visalia, CA as well as his parents Bill and Jackie. He leaves behind a son, Bryce Alan Clark and a daughter, Sara Hope Clark and his beloved fiancé, Sandra Pelletier, and her daughters, Tonia and Cheyanne Pelletier.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks any attendees to provide a story of their time with Perry Clark and to share any art work of Perry’s that they may have to help celebrate his achievements during the service. Due to the nature of Perry’s death the family also humbly requests that masks be worn during the service to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
January 9th, 2022
By William “Bill” Clark
Perry, Perry, quite contrary
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells
And ducks that are in a row!
He always had things under
“CONTROL”
What a genius he was and is,
A master artist like no other!
Per will paint pictures that
Jesus will marvel at,
He and God will make us
pictures to behold!
A respected man of many
Talents & gifts & friends!
Per made a mark in this
crazy mixed up world.
Visiting hours to celebrate Perry's life will be held on Sunday Jan. 16 from 12 - 2 PM at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service Chapel, 498 Long Plains Road (Rt. 22) in Buxton. At 2 PM a Masonic Service will be held at the funeral home.
The family requests that attendees wear masks.