Richard "Perky" Perkins

Richard Benjamin Perkins “Perky” of Pulaski, NY, died unexpectedly in Upstate Hospital on June 2, 2020 after succumbing to complications from the COVID-19 virus at the age of 93.

Dick was born on July 19, 1926, to Harry L. and Ruth C. (Moore) Perkins in Rochester, NY. He later moved with his family to Syracuse, NY and grew up along with his older brother Harry Jr.(deceased) and younger sister Dorothy Perkins Zahorian (Romulus, NY). Dick married his first wife and close friend, Betty Loomis May (deceased), and is survived by their four children: Linda L. Perkins (Syracuse, NY), Gerald B. Perkins (Pamela, divorced) (Central Square, NY), Deborah Perkins Bittel (Bruce) (Solvay, NY), and Sandra Perkins Cook (Edward, deceased) (Central Square, NY). After the two divorced in 1965, Dick married Barbara Tryon Loomis, and lived at their home that they built in Pulaski, NY until his death. They have one child together, Candace Perkins Mack (Robert) (Mauldin, SC). He is also survived by two loving stepchildren, Carol Loomis Clark (NH) and Roger Loomis (Donna) (FL or RVing somewhere), and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Richard worked in the trucking business for most of his life, starting initially at the young age of 14 in his father’s trucking business, then Roadway Transportation, and finally Mushroom Transportation before retiring in 1980. A long time member of the Teamsters Union, he prided himself in never having any traffic violations or accidents in all of the many millions of miles that he drove. His theme song really should be Johnny Cash’s famous “I’ve Been Everywhere”, which Dick sang often.When he retired from trucking, he worked at the New York State Fair, and later at The Altmar Fish Hatchery and NY State Parks as a Green Thumb. “Perky”, as he liked to be called, kept busy and remained active well past normal retirement age.

Besides singing to the delight of his daughters, Dick also enjoyed the outdoors. He hunted with his brother Harry and father as a member of the Mad River Club in Redfield, NY, where he bagged his prized eight-point deer, whose trophy head still hangs in the basement family room. He also loved fishing, especially with his son-in-law Ed Cook (deceased). He was famous for building warm blazing outdoor fires while camping in the Adirondacks with many family and friends gathered around. He will be missed, especially for never letting the regular, yet unexpected mountain rain storms douse a good fire before he was ready for bed. Other passions included trains, dogs (German Shepherds were his favorite), and anything to do with John Wayne, Clint Eastwood or Johnny Cash. He loved to collect things, especially Hess trucks, and to tell stories to everyone wherever he went.

With sadness, due to the ongoing 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Richard will be cremated at the Traub Funeral Home and his remains will rest with loved ones before a graveside service and burial at Greenlawn Cemetery in Warners can be scheduled, once pandemic restrictions are lifted. In the meantime, notes of condolences are welcome to his wife Barbara.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the United Friends of Homeless Animals in Richland, NY:
http://www.ufhashelter.com/?fbclid=IwAR3M_iveIdcF6uJ2xZVsRQOz1r5WX1tsq8ZzSNkNSj3hWjF3l
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