Gordon E. Perry

Gordon Edward Perry (1932-2019) of Barrington, R.I.; formerly from Westport, CT.; passed away on December 9, 2019. He joins his beloved wife, Christine Hersey, and his amazing son, William (Bill), his sister, Margaret Christensen, and his parents, Gordon and Christine Perry in heavenly peace. Gordon is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Peter Hughes of Long Valley, NJ and their five children: Peter & fiancée Krysten, Brian & wife Danielle, Robert, Alex and Kelly along with a great-grandson, Tristan; by his daughter-in-law, Rosalie Perry of Barrington, RI and her three sons: William, Joseph, and Andrew; and by his son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Karen Perry of Killingworth, CT and their four sons: Thomas, Tyler, Michael, and Ryan. He is also survived by his loving sisters, Gwen Moffitt Creaser and Janet Marshall.

            Gordon was born in New Haven, CT. He graduated by way of a work-scholarship from the Hopkins school in 1951, graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in Sociology in 1955, and was a graduate of the Management Program of Columbia University Graduate School of Business. At Brown, he was a member of the Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC) for the U.S. Navy and after graduating served two years in the Navy becoming a Lieutenant and Chief Gunnery Officer on the U.S.S. Nantahala.

            From 1958 until 1993, Gordon worked in the insurance/pension business for Mutual of New York (MONY). He began his career selling group life insurance in Buffalo, N.Y. and then in Seattle, WA., Columbus, OH, and Chicago, IL and returned to New York in 1971. Gordon retired as Vice-Chairman and a member of the MONY Board of Trustees in 1993. He and his wife, Chris, moved to Rhode Island in 1996.

            Gordon was a dedicated and active supporter of Brown University Athletics. He served as President of the Brown Football Association (BFA) (1987-1993) and President of the Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF)(1993-2001). Gordon attended many Brown Football games over five decades and especially enjoyed games in which his sons and three grandsons played. His grandson, Peter, was a member of the 2008 Ivy League Championship Team and his grandson, Robert, was the Captain of the 2016 Team.

            Gordon and Chris wintered in Bonita Springs, FL for over a decade where they frequently hosted family and friends. Over many summers, Gordon loved playing golf and sailing. Some of his favorite harbors included: Block Island’s Great Salt Pond; Essex & Stonington, CT; Cuttyhunk & Edgartown, MA; and Camden & Tenants Harbor, ME.

            A Celebration of Gordon’s life will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. in the Manning Chapel of Brown University (21 Prospect Street, Providence, RI). Arrangements are being handled by the Smith Mason Funeral Home in Riverside, RI. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, DONATIONS CAN BE MADE TO: DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE WEBSITE (SPECIFY HEAD & NECK CANCER) OR THE "BROWN UNIVERSITY" W/ BROWN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION ON THE MEMO LINE (BROWN SPORTS FOUNDATION, ATTN: ED ROSKIEWICZ, BOX 1925, PROVIDENCE, RI 02912).

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