World War II Army veteran
Published in the January 3, 2018 edition
LYNNFIELD — Paul Perkins, 94, of Lynnfield died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017, at the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital in Brattleboro, Vermont.
Born in Somerville on February 2, 1923, he was the son of the late Frank H. and Sarah M. (Evans) Perkins.
Paul was a tugboat captain and docking pilot for Boston Tow Boat Company. He was a well-known presence in Boston Harbor. He truly loved his job and was held in high regard by those that worked with him. Countless ships’ captains requested him, specifically, for difficult jobs such as helping LNG tankers and QE2 ships navigate through Chelsea Creek and other areas of Boston Harbor. He piloted in the turnaround of the USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”). Captain Perkins had pilotage for surrounding ports from Salem to Cape Cod Canal, including Quincy.
Paul was a World War II army veteran, serving in the Army Corp of Engineers. He was a proud, honorary member of the Boston Marine Society, past-president of the Boston Propeller Club, a member of the Wakefield-Lynnfield Masonic Lodge and Aleppo Shriners of Wilmington. He enjoyed and participated in many activities and organizations, such as the Wakefield Retired Men’s Club, Lynnfield Senior Center, the Messiah Lutheran Church of Lynnfield as well as gardening and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was the beloved husband of Verna R. (Cole) Perkins. He was the loving father of Kenneth C. Perkins and his wife Deborah of Arlington, Virginia; Paula R. Sombronsky and her husband Donald of Marshfield; Robert P. Perkins and his wife Susan of Billerica; and Pamela K. Wilcox and her husband Kenneth Gilbert of Brattleboro, Vermont. He was predeceased by two brothers and two sisters. He was fondly cherished by seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held earlier. Arrangements were in the care of the McDonald Funeral Home, Wakefield.
