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George Perkins Obituary
George Perkins – a governor at the city’s Newman School and former teacher in Harraby for more than 30 years – died in the Canary Island on Wednesday, where he was on holiday with his wife Cheryl.
It is understood Mr Perkins died suddenly and unexpected yet peacefully on a beach on the island.
The couple’s two sons Mike, 22, and 20-year-old Tom, who both study at York University, flew out to be with their mother.
Mrs Perkins, a maths teacher, is also head of year seven at Newman School. Her colleagues are said to be deeply shocked.
Mr Perkins, 58, of Castlesteads Drive, Sandsfield Park, was born and raised on the Harraby estate.
He went on to teach at Harraby School and its successor, the North Cumbria Technology College, for more than 30 years before taking early retirement around four years ago.
He was a PE teacher for many years but later in his career concentrated on learning support.
A keen sportsman, Mr Perkins had been a player and member of Carlisle Rugby Club for many years. He had also been a member of the city’s water polo and swimming teams.
Mr Perkins joined the governing body of Newman School around three years ago. Described as a ‘very active governor’, he was chairman of its environment committee.
Tributes were paid to him today with John McAuley, headteacher of Newman School, saying the whole school community was shocked at his ‘sudden and untimely death’.
“Mr Perkins was a committed and hard working school governor,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very sad time.”
Mr Perkins joined Cumbria Police Authority last October.
Chairman Reg Watson said: “He impressed us all with his common sense approach to a job that he was starting to learn. We were all getting on very well with him.
“We went through a substantial interview process last year and George was one of the two people we appointed out of the large number of applications we had received to join the authority.
“We were looking for people who had links with their communities and he had been a teacher for a long time. He had already taken a very active part in our discussions to formulate our new strategies for the future.”
It is expected that Mr Perkins’ body will be brought home later this week. Funeral details are expected to follow later.
48 Entries
liz forsyth
April 30, 2009
cheryl,mike,tom,
today was a wonderful tribute to George and your dad.He would have loved to see all his friends at the rugby club this afternoon and had a whisky and cigar with them and then gone out to play for the Hornets x Bless him
Maureen & Ron Baker
April 29, 2009
George, we have such great memories of when we met you and Cheryl on our teacher exchange year in Canada 1984. You were always up for new experiences - Toronto will never be the same again! Our thoughts are with Cheryl, Mike and Tom at this sad time.
Kerry
April 25, 2009
Mr Perkins what can I say! There was nver a day went by at school (NCTC) that u were not smiling. If one of us was feeling down, we knew we could count on u to be close by.
Gone but never forgotten. A trooper! You brightened up our days.
Tracy Gannon
April 24, 2009
As Mr Perkins you were a great teacher but no soft touch and knew how to get the best out of people So when recently meeting up with you again through work it was a pleasure to see that you were still as down to earth as ever and knew what everyone was up too.You were a gentleman taking after your dad and you will be a great miss to everyone who knew you. My thoughts go out to your family at this sad time.
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Rita
April 23, 2009
Well George, the world has become an even darker place now that you have left us. I'll always remember that cheeky smile!
Cheryl, Mike and Tom my love and thoughts are with you.
Rita
michelle walker nee miller
April 23, 2009
you were a brilliant teacher
you were nice to us all my thoughts go out
to your family RIP mr perkins x
Dawn Norman
April 23, 2009
Mr Perkins was a great teacher and was always very pleasant and helpful. He has been taken away far too early and will be a great miss. My thoughts are with his family.
Richard, Toto and Staff, Casa Romana
April 23, 2009
Alway's smiling, friendly, caring and helpful. Sir, you were always a great teacher and a happy customer and it was always a pleasure to see you and your family. You told me once to call you George, but you'll always be Mr Perkins to me and thousands others. Everyone at work was so shocked and saddened by the news. All our thoughts are with Cheryl, Mike and Tom. God bless you and rest in peace, Mr Perkins, Sir.
Liam
April 23, 2009
You went to school with my Mum, taught my brother and then me. A sad loss to the city. My thoughts go out to your family at this difficult time.
Amy Bradberry
April 23, 2009
I remember the first day I began secondary school, I was late and the first teacher I met was Mr Perkins. He made me feel at ease and took me up to meet my teacher and class. And girls rugby I hated it yet he made us play come rain, hail, or shine he was so passionate about the sport. He will be a big miss such an influential man taken so early and to suddenly. My thoughts are with his family.
Martyn
April 23, 2009
George Perkins was a good man and a good teacher, but if you crossed him he made sure you wouldn't step out of line again!
Go well, GP.
Tony Menery
April 23, 2009
RIP Sir, I will always appreciate what you taught me.
April 23, 2009
i remember george as a new, young teacher at harraby sec in the early 70s
he was able to be serious when necessary but also could see that fun etc......were a crucial part of learning for us
he was my form teacher in my last year at harraby, and was a great support to us young men who thought we knew it all !
i think a few of us got a 'reminder' at the end of school, teachers against school team match !
after a few years our paths crossed again on the rugby pitches of carlise rfc and up at carrs field, the home of my team, creighton rfc - we were then able to share a pint and a few memories
george earned respect in all that he did
rip george
carl whalley
Claire Gower
April 22, 2009
A sad loss. I remember being taught by him vividly, a great sense of humour and a sharp wit...always on the lookout for smokers and truanters as well hehe.
My thoughts are with his family and friends, RIP Sir.
Louise
April 22, 2009
So sorry to hear the sad news, you were a lovely man and a great teacher. Deepest sympathy to your family.
lynsey
April 22, 2009
RIP Sir, always fair 2 me thoughts wid ur family and friends
Mike Corry
April 22, 2009
Although we never saw each again after leaving Carlisle Grammar School, my most vivid memory of George was the hours of cricket we played together at the back of his parents house on Mayfield Avenue.
My sincere condolences to all his family.
denise
April 22, 2009
outstanding teacher you taught me and my daughter,fond memories,thoughts with your family and friends,sad loss to all. rip mr perkins.
Andrew Culley
April 22, 2009
Very sad news, Mr Perkins was an excellent teacher and a great personality. Deepest sympathy to your family.
james graham
April 22, 2009
R.I.P mr perkins you wear one of the best teachers at N.C.T.C and my thoughts are with the family
Andy Tinning
April 22, 2009
R I P Sir,found memories from my school days of,you taught us football lads so much
Sam cunliffe ( nee chandler)
April 22, 2009
Brilliant teacher fantastic person.. RIP.
lisa irving
April 22, 2009
R.I.P Mr perkins you were a good teacher and taught us right condolences to the familyx
samantha brown
April 22, 2009
R.I.P you were a great teacher and it is a loss to everyone. my thoughts go out to all the family xx
Kelly Donnelly
April 22, 2009
Very sad news. You were a great teacher. With deepest sympathy to your family.
Helen Meldrum/Kemp
April 22, 2009
sad news.Remember you when you lived next
door to my cousin John in Harraby.
Deepest sympathy to your Family.
Craig Calvert
April 22, 2009
Sad to hear this news.... Mr Perkins was a legend of my time at Harraby School (85-90)... We got off to a bad start..lol... but had a lot of respect for him.... He gave me 100% attention at sport and always gave me a fantastic report.... Rest in peace Geordie.... Craig
Phil Hines
April 22, 2009
hadn't come across George for many years but remember many good times together from Grammar school days in the 60s - very sad news
Robin McCormick
April 22, 2009
You were a classic case of local lad does good and a tremendous asset to the learning support dept for many pupils in HARRABY also a great family man and friend to many RIP
nicola cockroft nee story
April 22, 2009
you were a great teacher and gave us the right start to life after school.sincere condolences to your family xx
Jim Goode
April 22, 2009
It was my absolute pleasure to have played rugby with George for a few years at Carlisle RFC
He was a 100% Gent
Richard Greensmith
April 22, 2009
Normally when people die that have been of importance you give them a minute silence. Mr Perkins wasnt a quiet man and wasnt affraid to talk and support people, he always belived in you. Thats why i want to stand up and give a minutes applause for a great man. To the one of the greatest teachers i have ever had teach me. My thoughts go out to all your family
carol evans
April 22, 2009
A really hepful,amiable gentleman who taught my children.He almost certainly gave a lot of youngsters a gentle nudge in the right direction on "the walk of life".Rest in peace George.May your family take comfort in the enormous respect you commanded from all that knew you.
Jacqui& Tony Tate
April 22, 2009
You were a great teacher to myself and my husband at harraby sec. Our thoughts are with your family at this sad time.
laura silverwood
April 22, 2009
R.I.P you were a great teacher and it is a loss to everyone. my thoughts go out to all the family xx
Matthew Dowell
April 21, 2009
I'm currently in year 13 and can be glad to have had the privilege to have been one of his pupils. He was a great teacher and very dedicated to the job, if you where a goood student and genualy wanted to be there he was your best friend and he gave what was needed to the trouble makers and the ones who disrupted and ruined school for the rest of us. He will be greatly missed, and my condolences go out to his family.
April 21, 2009
you were a great teacher, i have nothing but fond memories of you
my thoughts go out to your family RIP
janet ingleton
gillian
April 21, 2009
An outstanding teacher and a great loss rest in peace Mr Perkins, My thoughts are with all your family.
Hayley
April 21, 2009
RIP Mr Perkins..You were a brilliant teacher and a sort of friend to us pupils. you helped us through the tough times and my thoughts are with your family and friends x
Claire Gaughy
April 21, 2009
Mr Perkins you have left your mark, you were a great teacher and will be sadly missed by so many. Condolences to your family, I am sure you are in many former pupils thoughts at this time.
christopher barnes
April 21, 2009
rip mr perkins you wear a good man ...throughts to his family .christopher barnes
Julia
April 21, 2009
Formally a wonderful teacher to me during my days as a pupil at Harraby Sec and laterly as a great patient during his visits to the outpatient clinic at the Infirmary. Always such a cheerful man with never a bad word to say. My thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time. RIP George.
Jane & Graeme Sutton
April 21, 2009
George left us with so many happy memories, whether it be his hospitality in the kitchen, his love of sport or just his jovial self. Our thoughts are with Cheryl, Mike and Tom. You know where we are.
james menery
April 21, 2009
Rest in peace Mr Perkins i will allways remember, you and what you did for me
~James Menery
Muriel Raistrick
April 21, 2009
George will be sadly missed by so many. A wonderful friend and colleague. My deepest sympathy to Cheryl, Mike and Tom.
Sarah
April 21, 2009
RIP. You were a good and and fair teacher whilst I was at NCTC. My thoughts are with your family and friends at this sad time!
David Edwards
April 21, 2009
What a terrible loss to Carlisle. George will be fondly remembered by many people. Deepest condolences from an old Grammar School chum.
vicci t
April 21, 2009
Rest in Peace Mr Perkins, I have fond memories of my time at school and it was something you said once to me that made me go on to study further at college so i could prove you wrong, so thank you. My thoughts are with your family at this sad time
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