Thomas Ralph "Tom" Perkins Sr.

Blue Hill
Thomas Ralph Perkins Sr. passed away peacefully on October 13, 2024, at the age of 93. Born on February 15th, 1931, in Patten, Maine, he was the son of Henry G. and Ruth A. (Varney)Perkins.
Tom attended the Massachusetts School of Pharmacy where he graduated in 1953 before settling with his wife and two children in Blue Hill, Maine. Tom was a well-known member of the community, running the Partridge Drug Store for over thirty years. He and his "wifey", Mary Ann loved serving their community while dolling out ice cream and red-hot dogs at the old-fashioned soda fountain.
Tom was a dedicated public servant, serving in the State House of Representatives from 1975 to 1978 and representing Maine's 12th District in the Maine State Senate from 1979 to 1990, where he held the position of Senate Minority Leader in the late 1980s.
An avid lover of harness racing, Tom could often be seen at the Bangor Raceway, cheering on his latest horse with various pill monikers, a favorite being "Sweet Pill." The name was both a term of endearment for his beloved granddaughter, and an homage to his long career as a pharmacist.
Later in life, Tom and Mary Ann resided in Cape Coral, Florida where he was delighted to be known as The Popcorn Man, a name earned while volunteering to raise money through popcorn sales at the Cape Coral Hospital.
Tom is survived by his daughter, Kim-Anne Perkins and four grandchildren, Pamela Perkins, Thomas Perkins III, Megan Perkins-Jacobs, and Max Perkins as well as his great-grandchildren, Lydia, Keene and Rowan. He will be greatly missed by his siblings and their spouses Pat Perkins, Marilyn and Richard Canton, Lois and Ralph Cross in addition to numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Mary Ann Perkins and their son, Thomas Perkins Jr. and his brother Fred Perkins.
A celebration of Tom's life will be held on October 24, 2024, at 1 PM at the Congregational Church of Blue Hill, 22 Tenney Hill, Blue Hill.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com