Joseph Augustus Perham Jr.

Joseph A. "Jody" Perham Jr. of West Paris, Maine died of natural causes Friday, November 7 following a stroke at his residence in Winslow. He was seventy years old.

The first born son of Joe and Peg Perham, Jody grew up wild and free with an innate and insatiable curiosity about his world...the small town, edge of the woods, hunting, fishing-trapping natural world of mid-century Western Maine.

And although he never really left Maine, not in his heart of hearts, Jody DID travel. He epitomized "walking your own path."

"HoBoJo" thru-hiked the 2200-mile length of the Appalachian Trail no less than three times. Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mt. Kathadin, Maine, Jody hiked that trail into submission. South to north and north to south, through all seasons. Always alone, always undaunted, Jody hiked the AT once in the winter....winter! Through the Appalachian mountains, with nothing but what he could carry on his broad shoulders and narrow back.

And Jody thrived there.

But he did not stop there.

"Jahobe" hiked the 2650-mile Pacific Crest Trail. Again snared by, but pushing through, winter. He went on to hike the 3,100-miles of the Continental Divide Trail as well; an astonishing feat of endurance. His completion of this trifecta of America's Great Trails, some 8000 miles, remains nearly unparalleled and previously unheralded.

Much like Jody. HoBoJo Jahobe.

Jody graduated from Oxford Hills High School in 1973. He attended the University of Maine, Orono. He served with honor in the U.S. Navy during the final year of the Vietnam War. He was a popular face in the blueberry fields of Northern Maine for many years and found great joy in family, especially "Mumma," and his nieces and nephews, most recently those of another generation.

Jody was predeceased by his namesake, Maine humorist Joe Perham. He is survived by his beloved mother, Margaret "Peggy" Perham of West Paris, sister Catherine, brothers David and Christopher, nieces Jara Wilson, Meryl and Fiona Gizinski, Mary Hicks, nephews Luke Gizinski, Grant and Graham Perham.