Raymond James Perron

Raymond James Perron, passed away on August 23, 2021.

As a small boy, Raymond James Perron was known to pilfer the occasional Skippy’s bar from his father’s store. Always one to share, he became an instant hit in the neighborhood as well as forever changing his name to the more fitting moniker - Skippy!

Some knew him as Ray, some as Skip, some as Dad or Papa. Whatever you called him, Raymond Perron was a special man - selfless, kind, compassionate, with a great sense of humor and accepting to all. He was loved and respected by everyone who knew him.

Ray was born April 8th, 1934 and was a favorite among his aunts and uncles. His mother Rita O’Leary Perron and his father Raymond Joseph Perron doted on their little son. He was joined in the family by his sister Rita Perron (Martin) and by his late brother Ronald Perron. Skip was educated in Portland’s Parochial schools and was a long-time parishioner of St. Joseph’s Parish and St. Anne’s Parish. He married his childhood sweetheart and was a devoted husband to Theresa Pelletier Perron for 57 years until she passed away in 2011. They were parents to six children, and helped many others that took shelter under his roof.

As a young father determined to support his growing family, he took on the backbreaking work of unloading sides of beef from trains at the A&P warehouse. He took on multiple jobs as he moved up through the ranks in retail, eventually becoming store manager of Shop ‘n Save at various locations including South Portland, Scarborough and Falmouth. Upon retirement, Skip and his wife ventured to locations across the U.S and kept a condo in Cape Coral, Florida, where they wintered for many years.

Skip was an avid sports fan who loved Boston’s teams, especially the Celtics. He attended games with his family (or whoever was available at the time!). One of his favorite accomplishments was coaching championship teams that were sponsored by Shop-n-Save in the very competitive J.C. Best Summer Basketball League.  All top-level talent in Maine played in this league.  Skip recruited and coached a dynasty winning championships for several years in a row.  He was so proud of that team.  When the J.C. Best closed up shop, Skip convinced Hannaford Brothers to sponsor and run the league and it became the Shop-n-Save Summer Basketball League.  Skip ran the league and coached for several more years.  He would talk about this period of time as some of his fondest memories.  

As he became a grandfather, one could say he became the quintessential spectator, a constant in the audience of many recitals, concerts, games, musicals, plays, and horse shows.

It must be said that he was the patriarch of a most musical family. Ray’s own voice was a stunning tenor and much like his late son Peter, he could bring the listener to tears with his renditions of “Danny Boy” or “Cool Clean Water." He sang in his church choir but was happiest when surrounded by family; singing, harmonizing and whistling on many musical evenings.

His eldest son, Jeff, spent time with his father discussing politics and philosophy. Bruce was a constant companion and tag-along for errands and visits. This grew into a golf partnership as his father taught his son the game he enjoyed. His daughter Linda, his “Wednesday companion,” spent afternoons dealing cards between the two of them or taking long car rides where they’d talk about everything. When Skip and Theresa arrived in Florida each fall, their son Mark and his wife Vicki were happily there to greet them and they enjoyed spending time with each other. When not in Florida, Skip and Theresa lived in an in-law apartment in David and Steph’s home, eventually living full time with the family. Both grandparents felt blessed to witness their granddaughter Grace grow from an infant to the amazing young woman she is today. Not enough can be said about David’s commitment to his parents and especially his father’s care in later years.

Raymond was preceded in death by his wife, Theresa J. Perron, his infant daughter, Cynthia, his son, Peter J. Perron, his brother, Ronald Perron, his son-in-law, Peter Scala, and his grandson, Adam Perron. Skip and Theresa raised a respectful, kind, and loving family that carried on the devotion they showed each other through generations of Perrons. Raymond is survived by sister, Rita Martin of Portland, and sister-in-law Anne-Marie Perron of Georgia. He is also survived by his children and their spouses, Jeff and Dianne Perron of Bridgton, Bruce and Tena Perron of Windham, Mark and Vicki Perron of Tucson, AZ, Linda Scala of Waterboro, Angela Perron Vafiades and her husband Todd of Sullivan, and David and Stephanie Perron of Gorham. Raymond is also survived by his loving grandchildren, Heather Perron, Beth Perron, Jeremy Perron, Mia Perron and her husband Francis Foley, Juliann Brown and her husband Ken, Khristopher Perron and his wife Nadia, Sara Perkins and her husband Zac, Rachel Scala-Bolduc and her husband Jon Bolduc, Matthew Scala, and Grace Perron; and a gaggle of great-grandchildren Tyus Eastman, Ashton Gendrolis, Abby Perron, Ellie Brown, and Willow, Rowan, and Phoenix Perkins. Raymond also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Friday, Aug. 27th at 10:00 AM. Calvary Cemetery on Broadway in South Portland.

In lieu of flowers, The Perron Family encourages contributions be made in Ray’s memory to Gosnell House - Hospice of Southern Maine.

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