Brad A. Perez

It is with unbearable sadness we share that Brad AAron Perez, 41 died by suicide at his family home in Old Furnace, Massachusetts on August 20, 2022. Brad leaves behind his wife Jamie (Waugh) Perez; two sons, Elijah and his girlfriend Megan Bly and Lucas Perez; his mother, Jean (Duval) Prouty; two sisters Misty Perez Truedson and husband David Truedson, Jr., and Laura Prouty; his brother, Donald Prouty, III and wife Pamela; his mother-in-law Margaret/Twig (Baldyga) Waugh; his beloved sister-in-law Kelsey Waugh and niece Bailey; his brother-in-law Chad Waugh and wife Jessica and nephew Owen; his niece Kacey Vedder and her son Cage; his Nana Beverly (Hebert) Perez; nieces, Penelope Truedson, McKenzie Prouty, Alexys Prouty, and nephews, Theodore Truedson, R.J., Rylie and Isaac Prouty; and many cousins, aunts, uncles, family members and friends who loved him dearly. He was predeceased by his step-father Donald Prouty, his dad Mark Perez, his father-in-law Walter Waugh, his Grampy Sixto Perez, and maternal grandparents Henry and Lillian (Mazier) Duval.
Brad was born February 11, 1981 to Jean (Duval) Prouty and Mark A. Perez. He grew up in Old Furnace, where he rode dirt bikes and four wheelers, played in the soft sands, foundations and wet fields of the land, he spent days riding bikes and getting into trouble in Wheelwright with his cousins. He fell in love and married Jamie, and they raised their boys to do the same.
Brad loved his wife Jamie, they married August 20, 2005 and built a life together focused on their boys. He took great pride in raising his boys, Elijah and Lucas, to be good, loving and kind, to work hard and to be there for each other and for family. He loved them more than anything in this world, and devoted himself to being the father he knew his boys needed. Brad was a loving and tender person. Babies and children connected with his sweet nature. He adored children and they adored him. Brad was a hard worker throughout his life, he worked in the garage on whatever needed fixing and was regularly working on something with a family member. He was a Union member, had his own successful foundation business and drove trucks for years like his Grampy, before returning to work pouring concrete foundations with Gerry Allard. Brad could often be seen after a hard day's work sitting on the porch in the afternoons or driving around with Bentley, his incredibly loving dog who is lost without him. As are we all.
Brad battled mental illness throughout his life and was actively seeking help at the time of his death. He wanted to feel better and be there for his family and loved ones. We can honor him by taking great care with our own mental health and raising our children to do the same. We can also raise our voices to advocate for greater access to mental healthcare and coverage.
If you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Calling hours for Brad will be held on Sunday, August 28, 2022, from 2 to 4pm in the Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main St., in West Brookfield. A private Graveside Service will be held for family at the Hardwick Cemetery on Monday. A Celebration of Brad s Life will be held on Monday, August 29, 2022 beginning at 11:00am at the Hardwick Winery where all are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, a GoFundMe has been set up to help cover funeral expenses and support for Jamie, Elijah and Lucas as they take time to grieve this enormous loss.
An online guestbook is available at varnumfuneralhome.com
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