Joseph S. Perkins Jr.

DANVERS - Joseph S. Perkins Jr. 92 of Danvers MA, passed away peacefully, in the early morning hours of Sept 8th, 2022.
Joe was born in Salem in 1929 to Joseph S. and Elizabeth N. (Spofford) Perkins. He grew up in Salem, MA. and graduated from Danvers High school in 1947.
After high school he joined the Army and served two tours of duty in the Korean war between 1947 and 1951. He was married to Mary-Jane Walsh from 1952 until her passing in 1995. After graduating from Northeastern University in 1956 where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, he worked for CBS Hytron in Danvers for several years and then he had a career at Polaroid Corporation for 35 years as an Industrial Engineer, retiring in 1995 as their Corporate Retirement Manager. He started his retirement career with the AARP national board of directors, serving for 8 years including his seat as president from 1998 – 2000. His passion for advocating for retirees continued well beyond his years with Polaroid and AARP, serving on multiple boards of different organizations, on aging and retirement as well as on a presidential advisory committee on pensions and benefits 1995 - 1998. At that time, he was also married to his second wife Helen Flynn, from 1997 until her passing in 2011.
In his early years, Joe was known around the Northshore as the Kountry Kaller, learning from his dad, Joe Sr., calling square dances from the mid-fifties until the late sixties.
Aside from his accomplished career, Joe spent his time off with family camping, skiing, hiking, biking or just taking a walk on the beach. Joe enjoyed his time with his family. He shared his love of the out of doors, with his children and grandchildren who to this day look for those special places to spend some time doing the same.
Joe is survived by his later in life partner Lois Nicholson of Salem; his sister Ann Derosier of Kissimmee, FL; five children including James Perkins and his wife, Sandra, of Danvers; Jeffrey Perkins and his wife, Isabelle, of Lowell, MA; Betsy Schauerman and her husband, Sam, of West Yellowstone, MT; Steven Perkins and his wife, Linda, of Park City, UT; and Brian Perkins and his wife, Lori, of Biddeford, ME; 13 grandchildren: Abby, Alex, Cedric, Jerome, Adrien, Bradley, Collin, Travis, Eliza, Benjamin, Jessye, Michaela and Matthew and 8 great grandchildren. Joe was predeceased by his two sisters, Judith Carr and Deborah Bouranis.
A quote from Joe – "It's a tradition for the new AARP president to come into office with a theme. I've given a lot of thought to mine. It doesn't include a lot of two-dollar words, or a multifaceted mission statement, or pie-in-the sky goals. It revolves around two words – choose involvement. Simple and to the point. Let's think about the implications of those two words. You can be involved on many levels- with family, community, country and even the world. If you are not involved, you've lost touch. Life loses its zest. You start to stagnate. Maybe that is why I have chosen to stay so active."
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours at O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) DANVERS on Friday, October 14th from 4 to 7 P.M. A Memorial Service will be held from All Saints Episcopal Church, 46 Cherry St., (Corner of Holten St.) Danvers on Saturday, October 15th at 2 P.M. with a Celebration of Life following the service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to your favorite charity or in keeping with Joe's passion of volunteerism, make a donation of your time! To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.
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