Francis D. Perfect Sr.

1921 - 2015

Francis D. Perfect, Sr.

1921 - 2015 PLEASANTVILLE, N.J. Francis D. Perfect, Sr., 93, passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2015 at his home. He was the Founder and Owner of Adams-Perfect Funeral Homes in Pleasantville and Northfield, and was the oldest licensed Funeral Director in the State of New Jersey. Mr. Perfect was born on November 11, 1921, in Croton, Ohio where he spent his childhood. He graduated from the Hartford High School where he played football and was known as one of the "Fearsome Five". Later he served in the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. It was during this time that he met Merion Ellen Bourne of Port Republic, NJ in Atlantic City and they were later married on March 12, 1946. After attending Eckels College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia, he bought Adams Funeral Home in Pleasantville from Mr. Adams in 1957. He changed the name to Adams-Perfect Funeral Home and continued to serve the community in that location. In 1970 he built a second funeral home in Northfield where he worked closely with his family, especially his grandson, David Umphlett. He always had the people of the community at heart, and in addition to the services provided, he made substantial contributions to local churches and hospitals, as well as to the Southern Regional Medical Center in Bennington, VT where he maintained a second home. Francis had a love for Vermont and had a particular passion for skiing and golf. His family shared many special times with him in the mountains, on the golf course, and at his home in Bennington, VT. Mr. Perfect was a faithful, long time member of Salem United Methodist Church, Keystone Masonic Lodge No. 153, Mainland Rotary Club, and First United Methodist Church in Bennington. Survivors are his dear wife of 69 years, Merion; five daughters: Marianne "Mimi" Umphlett (Jerry), Nancy "Punky" Perfect, Iva Jean "Widdy" Pedersen (Roger), Virginia "Gigi" Nugent (John), Helen "Hunny" Scull (Bill); 15 grandchildren: Carrie Brinkman, Duke Perfect (Jayne), David Umphlett (Amber), Scott Umphlett (Amy), John Umphlett (Emily), Suzi Fletcher (David), Liz Sanders (Michael), Merion Wright (Bagley), Jill Rose (Ron), Cigi Nugent-Berges (Nate), Kati Nugent-Tribe (Philip), Anni Nugent, William, Johnathan , and Amanda Scull; 20 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Trudy Perfect of Alexandria, OH; three nieces and two nephews; and several grand nieces and grand nephews. He also leaves behind his loving caregiver, "Dana". He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd DeVere Perfect and Belle Melick Perfect; his son, Francis "Duke" Perfect, Jr.; a granddaughter, Wendy Burlingame; his two brothers, Neil Perfect and John "Tat" Perfect and his wife, Hope. FUNERAL NOTICE: There will be a time of visitation for relatives and friends from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2015 at Adams-Perfect Funeral Home, 1650 New Road, Northfield, NJ. Masonic Rites will be held at 7:30 p.m. There will be a private family funeral service and burial in the Adams Cemetery in Port Republic, NJ. Francis Perfect would say to family and friends: "Thank you all for your love and devotion through all the years". The family requests that any desired memorial contributions be made to Lightkeeper's Society at Shore Medical Center Foundation, 100 Medical Center Way, Somers Point, NJ 08244 and to the AtlantiCare Foundation, 2500 English Creek Ave., Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234. Condolences may be left for the family at www.adams-perfect.com