Longtime
residents will remember CJ Perry & Sons, the John Deere dealer that
was on Route 104 in Gasport (where New England Seafood is now).
They always treated farmers and homeowners well when selling and
servicing tractors and law mowers. When I bought my house over 20 years
ago they didn't have the lawnmower I wanted in stock, so until it
arrived from the manufacturer Ronald Perry let me borrow one for 5
weeks, free of charge! He was a good man.
Mr. Perry passed away late last week. Our hearts go out to his family.
Ronald L. Perry entered into rest October 10, 2019 at Niagara Hospice surrounded by his loving family.
Beloved husband of Jean (Spafford) Perry for 61 years; dear father of
Susan Perry of Rochester, New York and Steven (Paula) Perry of Reading,
Massachusetts; devoted grandfather to Matthew Voltz, Kevin Voltz, Julia
Perry, Colleen Perry, and Nathan Perry. Also survived by siblings,
brother James (Kathleen) Perry of Raleigh, North Carolina, and sister
Linda Perry Jones of Barnesville, Georgia and several nephews and
nieces. He was predeceased by granddaughter Lisa Jean Voltz and brother
David (Jet) Perry.
Born October 1, 1936 to parents Lawrence and
Olive Perry, Hartland, New York. Ron graduated from Barker Central
School in 1954 and Kent State University, Ohio in 1958 for Business
Management. He was President of the Men’s Student Association, President
of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, and Commander of the ROTC Corps of
Cadets.
Ronald and Jean met in first grade at Barker School and
were married at Barker Methodist Church on July 26, 1958. Their children
Susan and Steven were born during his service with the U.S. Air Force
where he retired as Captain after 7 years. The family lived at Dyess Air
Force Base, Abilene, Texas; RAF Brize Norton Base in England and
Strategic Air Command Headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska.
Ronald
Perry was President and owner of C.J. Perry & Son, a farm machinery
and John Deere dealership in Hartland, New York. He won numerous sales
awards from the John Deere company. The store, which opened in 1915 as a
general merchandise store by Ron’s great grandfather, then became a
farm equipment store in the 1920’s and was managed for the next 85 years
by Ron’s grandfather, then father, then Ron. The Perry store was a
County landmark at Hartland Corners closing in 2001 with Ron’s
retirement.
As a Niagara County Legislator for 14 years from
1979-1993, he represented the Towns of Newfane and Somerset. Mr. Perry
chaired the County Finance and Agricultural Districting committees and
served on many other committees.
He was a former President and
life member of the Newfane Lions Club and received the Lions Club
International Melvin Jones Fellow. He was a member of Newfane United
Methodist Church for more than 50 years and served in many different
roles. Perry served as Chairman of the Town of Newfane Sesquicentennial
in 1974. He was a member of the Newfane Intercommunity Memorial Hospital
Board 1974-1980 and chaired the J.C. Duncan Student Loans Funds.
Ron’s hobbies were doing yardwork on his John Deere tractor, golf,
boating, playing bridge and Sequence with friends, and reading. He
enjoyed spending time at the Lake Ontario family cottage in Somerset in
earlier years and with family on Cape Cod and Maine in later years.
Ronald and Jean traveled to Hawaii, Alaska, and extensively in England
and Europe. They wintered at The Villages in Florida after retirement.
Family and friends may call at the Rutland-Corwin Funeral Home, Inc.
at 2670 Main Street, Newfane, New York on Monday, October 14th from 3
p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Newfane United
Methodist Church on Tuesday, October 15th at 10:00 a.m. Interment will
follow at Hartland Central Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers,
donations can be made to Newfane United Methodist Church, 2699 Main
Street, Newfane, New York 14108; Newfane Lions Club; or Niagara Hospice,
4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, New York 14094.
