Robert A. Perry

Robert Anthony Perry, 64, of Griswold, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, December 28, 2025. A devoted husband, an amazing father, a tireless runner, and a fierce brain cancer warrior, he crossed his last finish line surrounded by those he loved most.

Rob was born February 15, 1961 in New London, CT to Barbara Marie Curico and Keith Robert Perry. He graduated from Waterford High School in 1979 and developed his talents in several trades before choosing a fulfilling career in quality control (QC) and nondestructive examination and testing (NDE/NDT). He was working as a QC inspector for Stone & Webster Engineering Corp. during the construction of Millstone Power Station Unit 3 in Waterford in 1984 when he met the love of his life. With his larger than life personality, his sense of humor, and his heart of gold, he won over the woman who would become his life partner for 41 years, Diana Lee Gallimore-Perry.

Rob and Dee married on October 7, 1989. They settled down in the house they built in Griswold in 1991, and they made this house their home for the rest of their 36-year marriage. Rob and Dee had their son, Brendan Gallimore Perry, in 1993. Rob raised his son with as much music, laughter, curiosity, and adventure as could be crammed into weekends and evenings after long work days. He was rewarded with a cycling, running, and jamming partner in his son, who grew up revering his self-motivation and explosive love of life.

Rob continued to excel in the NDE/NDT field, personally assuring the quality of everything from power plants to nuclear submarines. He worked for Integrated Technologies, Inc. and Mistras from 1996 to 2013, Inspection & Testing, LLC and LMT from 2014 to 2016, and ultimately came full circle back to Millstone Power Station from 2016 to the present, to the most rewarding role of his career. At Millstone, Rob was a force to be reckoned with, tackling his work days with laughter, ownership, teamwork, and a perennially full cup of coffee. His coworkers will always remember him as smart, caring, selfless, and a wonderful human being.

In his personal life, Rob took incredible care of his body and his spirit, starting with cycling several half-century races in the late 90’s and evolving into what would become his most passionate hobby: Running. In 2014, he ran his first half marathon. In 2015, he ran his first marathon. In 2018, he ran his first of two 50 km ultra-marathons. By the time of his passing, Rob had run 5 marathons and 25 half marathons. Of note, his last two half marathons were 6 months and then a year after his craniotomy, respectively. Brain surgery could not slow down a man with an unstoppable heart.

A new passion was born in 2018 when Rob and Dee fell in love with exploring National Parks. Their adventures started when they first took in the breathtaking natural wonder of Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, and that beauty never left his mind. They were blessed to be able to journey together through 15 more parks across the US, with all the stickers on their water bottles to prove it.

All the while, music poured out from Rob’s soul. From the moment he first picked up a pair of marching sticks in school, the world became his drum kit. He marched in competition, played in dozens of bars, his basement, his garage, and when he couldn’t do that, he banged on every countertop and steering wheel he could. His passion for music was just another way for him to bring joy and warmth to the people he loved.

His wife, his son, and his two granddaughters carry on his love of life and his legacy of music, laughter, determination, and relentless forward motion.