Clifton Richard Perry

January 11,1926 - May 20, 2024

Clifton, known today by most as Cliff, was born in Portland, Maine on January 11, 1926.  He was adopted by Lillian and Warren Perry who resided in Westbrook.  Clifton grew up helping his father with his dairy and wood business.  In his youth he was often called "Kip" by his family and friends.  He delivered milk to customers with his horse and wagon in Westbrook before the family moved to the Longfellow Farm in Gorham. His father took over the dairy farm and added more cattle to expand his milk business.  Cliff grew up milking cows by hand twice a day.  His job got easier with the purchase of a milking machine and a Ford Model T truck for his daily milk runs. It was a year round working, haying in the summer, harvesting ice for the ice house, growing vegetables, raising chickens and making sure there was plenty of wood for the winter.

Dad attended Gorham High School and graduated in June 1944.  He enlisted in the Navy on August 21, 1944 and served until June 1946.  He was in the Seabees, the construction battalion, and after boot camp in California he was stationed in the Pacific theater, primarily on Okinawa. Most days he was driving trucks, one hand on the wheel, the other on his rifle ready for anything.  It was during his service on board the USS Gillian he came to saving faith in Christ and served faithfully in various churches over the next several decades.

His gift was service, whether it was fixing or building something, delivering food, leading youth groups, teaching Sunday School or Bible Study, taking kids to hike a mountain or whatever needed to be done he was there to serve.  It was while attending a church in Westbrook he met his wife Judy. They married on January 18, 1964 and moved to Gorham.  Judy worked as a nurse and Cliff worked in the auto parts business. Cliff had a great sense of humor.  It served him well in his job.  He seemed to always have the right pun for the moment or a joke to make you laugh.  His favorite line when he introduced himself was "Hi, I'm Cliff, drop over anytime."  His wink and smile always made folks chuckle. He was also memorable for his love of plaid.  Whether it was pants, shirts, ties, or pajamas he was clearly the "Plaid Dad."

In 1972 their daughter Betsy was born.  Cliff was so proud to become a father.  He and Judy loved to take day trips and were always on some adventure with Betsy. New Hampshire was a favorite destination to Storyland, Attitash, Santa's Village, any petting zoo, and it always included picnic lunches, in a plaid picnic bag. When Betsy was involved in athletics and music Cliff rarely missed a game or concert. They continued to live in Gorham until 2012 when they moved to Kennebunk and, a few years later, to Saco to reside with their son-in-law Randy, Betsy and their two grandchildren, Hunter and Henry.  Cliff enjoyed seeing his grandchildren and watching them participate in various activities.  He also liked those special occasions that included his favorite dessert, apple pie. When we left for the day he would say "hold to the riggings, see you later alligator."

Cliff lived for 98 blessed years, touching the lives of so many with his humor, his guidance and his service.  He is survived by his immediate family Judy, his wife of 60 years, his daughter Betsy and her husband, Randy, and two grandchildren, Hunter and Henry.