Thaddeus Richard Perry

Thaddeus Richard (Dick) PERRY Thaddeus Richard (Dick) Perry passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 1, 2010, surrounded by his kids. He was 89 years old. Dick was well known for hissense of humor and kindness.He loved animals, especially dogs, treating trips abroad as opportunities to pet dogs of all nationalities. He and his wife, Elaine, who passed away in 1998, had a variety of screwball terriers through the years. Dick was born on February 20, 1922 on Capitol Hill in Seattle. He attended St. Joseph's grade school and Broadway high school. He was a member of Zeta Psi Fraternity at the University of Washington where he met Elaine, a member of Alpha Gamma Delta. Both were Husky football fans and season ticket holders for over 50 years. From the UW ROTC program, he entered World War II and served in the Quartermaster Corps in Patton's third army, ending his army career as a Captain. After the war, Dick was recruited by his father, Thaddeus, and brothers Jack and Bob to help run the family wholesale food business, Perry Brothers, where Dick had worked as a kid. Dick was one of the first to introduce fine European deli cheeses and meats to Pacific Northwest supermarkets in the 1970's. Perry Brothers was bought by Kraft Foods in 1986, and Dick retired in 1988. After his retirement, Dick and Elaine enjoyed their dream house, formerly the site of a Perry family cabin, on the Puget Sound in Des Moines, WA. Dick had spent his childhood summers at the cabin and his heart was never far from the beach he loved so much. As a teenager, he would hitchhike from Capitol Hill to the beach to spend weekends at the cabin; as an adult, he took daily summer swims in the Sound into his sixties. We will never forget his graciousness, his humor, and especially his compassion: he spent many years caring for Elaine as she became progressively weaker with MS. His number one priority was always his family. He wasa devout Catholic and very supportive of his parish and grandchildrens' schools. Dick was preceded in death by his wife Elaine, his brothers Jack and Bob, and his sister Margaret. Dick is survived by his children Mark (Linda Hartzell), Lynn (Dan) Winkelmann, Tim (Shaun), and Katie (Terry) Donohue; grandchildren Adam Hartzell; Ryan (Danielle), Caitlin, and Andy Winkelmann; Betsy and Matt Perry; Shelly, Nicolette, and Kris Donohue; his sister-in-laws, Lillian Perry and Phyllis (Don) Gill; his brother-in-law Jerry (Betty) Ellering; and his cat Jake. He also had many nieces and nephews who loved him very much. On Monday, March 7, 2011, a Rosary will be held at St. Philomena Church at 10:30 AM, followed by a memorial Mass at 11:00 AM. The church is located at 1790 S. 222nd St., Des Moines, WA 98198. Afterwards, a reception will be held at the church followed by an internment ceremony at Gethsemane Cemetery, 37600 Pacific Hwy. S. Federal Way, WA 98003. Remembrances may be made to Catholic Relief Services or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.