Philip E. Perry was born on December 7, 1934, at 62 Perkins Street, Gloucester, the son of Anthony and Amelia (Costa) Perry. He spent his young years growing up on Portagee Hill with many loving family members and close friends. During World War II the family lived in Rockport. Philip was a 1952 graduate of Gloucester High School. From 1953 to 1958 he attended Suffolk University studying chemistry, physics and math with additional postgraduate work at Boston University, Harvard and MIT, graduating from Suffolk University in 1958. From 1954-1958 he worked as a medical technologist at Addison Gilbert Hospital as well as substitute teaching at Gloucester High School, Forbes School and Manchester Jr/Sr High School. From 1958-1963 he taught at Maynard High School where he also was Dean of Boys and Director of the Drama Program. In 1963 he began teaching chemistry, physics and math at Rockport High School where he became Science Department Head and Science Supervisor K-12, and Drama Director with work also on Yearbook and a Family Life Program. Mr. Perry also worked to establish the Cape Ann Medical Center with Dr. Walter O’Donnell and the original Cape Ann Medical Center physicians. He served as the original Cape Ann Medical Center Director. After his retirement from Rockport High School in 1994, he taught middle school science, math, algebra and drama for ten years at St. Ann School in Gloucester. Mr. Perry had a way of making complicated science understandable and has had many former students successful in medicine as well as theater arts, including Andrew Stanton, who was awarded an Oscar, giving Mr. Perry, his Rockport Theater Arts Teacher, public credit for his success in Hollywood. Phil Perry’s deep religious faith and his love of teaching has made him continuously beloved by his students. On his 80th birthday he was given a memorable birthday pary at the Rockport Community Center. In 1990, Channel 5, WGBH, awarded him their Great Expectations Award as a Class Act, which recognized teachers committed to providing quality education and dedicated to promoting “great expectations” for all children and youth. He is survived by his long-time friend and caregiver Dina Hamilton, as well as his niece Sandra Herdman (Robert), grandnephews, Aaron Teixeira (Alyssa) and Jason Teixeira and great grandnephews, Orion Teixeira, Harrison Teixeira and Timothy Teixeira. His mass will be celebrated in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, 142 Prospect St. on Wednesday, January 18 at 9:30 a.m. Family and friends are cordially invited. His burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Gloucester. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the: Cape Ann Animal Aid in memory of Phil’s beloved cat, Amy, who predeceased him on December 20. Online condolences may be given at: www.greelyfuneralhome.com.
The post Philip E. Perry was born on De… appeared first on Massachusetts USA Obituaries.