Rodney Perry

Rodney (Rod) Perry, 75, peacefully passed away on Dec. 4 at AdviniaCare Wellesley Alzheimer’s Center following a more than decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Rod was born on Feb. 24, 1948, in Fall River, the youngest of five brothers born to Richard and Frances (Browne) Perry.

Rod is survived by his wife, Claire (Geoffroy) Perry of Franklin, who he was married to for 52 years. He also leaves his four children, Suzanne Sheehy and husband Michael of Westford, Christopher Perry and wife Renee of Millbury, Jennifer Perry and partner Scott Tidd of Blackstone, and Kimberley Perry and partner Ryan Corbin of Walcot, Vermont; eight grandchildren, Kaden and Katie Sheehy; Keely, Peyton and Ciara Perry; and Dylan and Samantha Coste and Skylar Tidd; as well as his two older brothers, Kenneth Perry and wife Ginny of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, and Stanley Perry and wife Janet of Mesardis, Maine; and sister-in-law Janet Perry-Schaeffer and husband LeRoy. He also leaves many extended family members, nieces, nephews and friends who will miss him dearly.

He is predeceased by his parents, stepmother Lois (Babbit) Perry, and older brothers David Perry and Lawrence Perry and wife Nancy.

After high school, Rod studied forestry at Paul Smith College in New York. He took an opportunity to study forestry at Aberdeen University in Scotland for one year, and finished his B.S. in forestry at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The summer after graduating, Rod joined the U.S. Air Force as an air traffic control officer stationed at Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire. He also served in the Massachusetts Air National Guard. Upon completion of his military service, he went back to his love of horticulture and worked at Weston Nurseries in Hopkinton for 32 years. At Weston, he worked various positions from field worker all the way up to director of commercial operations. He was a co-founder and chair of a local chapter of the National Association of Credit Managers and also was a member of the Board of Directors of the Associated Landscape Contractors of Massachusetts.

Rod’s favorite pastime was golfing, no matter what the temperature. He even managed to get a hole-in-one at Bungay Brook in Bellingham. His other love was plants. He could often be seen moving shrubs from one location to another at any time, from spring to fall. He loved being outside.

Rod very much enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He helped them with all types of projects. He also enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting and art events and seeing all of their accomplishments.

The family expresses deep gratitude to the staff of AdviniaCare Wellesley Alzheimer’s Center, where Rodney resided and was cared for during the last eight years.

Calling hours in the Charles F. Oteri and Son Funeral Home, 33 Cottage Street, Franklin, will be on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m.-noon, followed immediately by a short service at the funeral home. Interment with military honors will be at Fox Cemetery, Berkley, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to AdviniaCare Wellesley Alzheimer’s Center, Activities Department, 694 Worcester Street, Wellesley, MA 02482.

Obituaries are submissions, typically from funeral homes, that are not subject to the same level of editorial oversight as the rest of the Hopkinton Independent. Obituaries may be edited for grammatical and factual mistakes and clarifications and shortened for space considerations.