Francis Noel Perry

PERRY, FRANCIS NOEL, surrounded by family, Francis N. Perry died at his home in Bentley Village, Naples, FL, on January 17, 2005. Born and raised in Bristol, RI, he was the beloved husband of the late Marcia Gifford Perry, his high school sweetheart who he married in 1946. He was the son of the late Frank and Anna (August) Perry. He graduated from Bristol Senior High School in 1942 and the University of Rhode Island in 1946. He served in the US Marine Corps during WWII and the Korean Conflict. Francis moved to Amherst, NH, in 1967. He was the General Manager of Buttonwood Dairy in Warren RI in the 60s and early 70s, the President of the Rhode Island Milk Dealers Association from 1959 to 1960 and the President of Dairy Council of Southeastern New England in 1965. During this time, he was active in the Bristol Rotary Club, serving as its President in 1964 and 1965. In NH, he remained active in the Rotary Club serving as its" President from 1978 to 1979 and District Chair in 1980. He received his 40 year pin in 2004 and was twice the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship Award which provides monetary scholarships to students studying abroad. Appointed by former Governor John H. Notte, he served as the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Conservation for the State of Rhode Island in 1961 and 1962. Francis was Chairman of the Bristol Fourth of July Parade in 1959 and 1960 and Chief of Staff for the parade in 1965. He was Master of Ceremony for 15 years at the Amherst, NH July 4 festivities, from 1974 through 1989. Acting on the recommendation of Senator John Pastore of Rhode Island, in 1963, President John F. Kennedy appointed Francis for a special two month assignment with the Agency for International Development evaluating Peace Corps personnel. In 1967, Francis moved to Amherst NH to serve as the National Sales Director of Golden Guernsey Milk located in Peterborough, N.H. In 1971 he began his association with National Life Insurance Co. where he remained employed until 2004. During this time he served on various Boards and Councils in the insurance industry. In 1988-89 he was President of the NH State Life Underwriters and in 1991 he earned the NH Association of Life Underwriters ""Distinguished Life Underwriter of the Year"" Award. From 1987 through 1990, he was a member of The Bean Foundation, a philanthropic organization in NH and served as its Chair in 1990. In 1988 he was a Board Member for the Milford, NH American Stage Festival. He was a Selectman in Amherst New Hampshire for 12 years serving as its Chair for three years. In 1991-92, he was the Amherst School Moderator. From 1972 through 2003 he was the Bail Commissioner in Amherst, N.H. Francis is survived by Marcia E. Perry of Naples, FL, Marklyn P. Champagne of East Greenwich, RI, F. Noel Perry of San Francisco Bay Area, Michaela Perry of York, ME, Elizabeth Morriss of Kamuela, HI, Lisa Franke of Jacksonville, FL and 12 grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Jane P. Castro and Anne P. O"Connell of Bristol, RI and the late Virginia Howard. Calling hours are Thursday evening, January 20th from 5-9 p.m. in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday at 10:00 am in St. Patrick"s Church, 34 Amherst Street, Milford, NH. A graveside service with military honors will be held Saturday at 10:00 am in St. Mary"s Cemetery, Bristol, RI. In lieu of flowers, one can remember Francis with a contribution to the Marcia Gifford Perry Scholarship Fund, care of The Milford Rotary Club, Box 618, Milford, NH, 03055. This fund was established in the memory of Marcia and provides scholarships to musically talented and needy young adults to pursue their love of music. Smith & Heald Funeral Home, Milford, NH, is in charge of arrangements.