Obituary: Rev. Richard Perron; Devoted His Life to Serving God by Following the Vocation of his Uncle and Mentor, the Late Monsignor Joseph Richard, and His Aunt, the Late Sister Marie Alma (Laura Perron), Sister of Ste. Chretienne

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Rev. Richard Perron passed away peacefully at Grosvenor Park Nursing Home in Salem on Memorial Day, May 25, 2015.

He was surrounded by his loving sister Grace, his family and Grosvenor Park’s caring staff. Fr. Perron was the son of the late Joseph and Emma (Richard) Perron of Ontario, Canada, and Salem, Mass. He was predeceased by his brother Robert Perron and his wife Mary (Brennan) of Beverly, his sister Angela (Perron) Lyness and her husband Robert of Salem, and his sister Grace’s husband, John Brennan of Salem. In addition to his sister Grace, he leaves behind many cousins, three generations of nieces and nephews, as well as fellow clergymen, Holy Sisters, lifelong friends, and parishioners. Richard was born in 1921 to a large French-Canadian family.

He devoted his life to serving God by following the vocation of his uncle and mentor, the late Monsignor Joseph Richard, and his aunt, the late Sister Marie Alma (Laura Perron), Sister of Ste. Chretienne. Richard was educated at St. Joseph’s Academy in Salem and graduated from Assumption College in Worcester. He entered St. John’s Seminary in Brighton and was ordained in 1946. Shortly after his ordination, Fr. Perron celebrated his first Sacrament of Marriage in the wedding of his brother Robert. He served the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston as a priest and pastor for 50 years, and retired from Sacred Heart Parish in Brockton. For the next nearly 20 years, Fr. Perron continued to assist local parishes and convents, saying masses, celebrating sacraments, and visiting the sick and infirm. He especially enjoyed saying weekly mass for the Carmelite Sisters in Danvers. He will always be remembered for his fervent and faithful commitment to answer God’s call.

In addition to being a devoted priest, Fr. Perron was an avid, competent and lifelong sailor. As young boys, he and his brother, Robert, built their first sailboat in their father’s woodworking shop in Salem. Whether racing, cruising up and down the New England coast, or simply enjoying the local harbors and islands, Fr. Perron’s enthusiasm for the sea’s beckoning breezes was both infectious and legendary. He never tired of sailing’s simple beauty and the peaceful contemplation it afforded him. Many wonderful memories were made with him onboard “The Puffin”.

Whether during a daily mass, a sacrament shared, a spirited cribbage game, a personal computer tutorial, or a sunny sail, times spent with Fr. Perron were his gifts to us. Heaven has surely gained a faithful and devoted servant. Our sincerest thank you to all who loved and cared for Fr. Perron throughout his long life. We are confident that he will find a good breeze and a safe port in heaven. He is finally home.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to his funeral Mass on Tuesday, June 9, at 11 a.m. at Star of the Sea Church in Marblehead, MA. Internment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Salem, MA. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Covenant House, 461 8th Ave. NY, NY 10001 Attn: Sandra Latchman. To send a condolence to the family please visit www. BerubeFuneralHome.com.