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Fred T. 'Ted' Perry Coventry, RI QCWA # 27000 Chapter 112 |
PERRY M.D., FRED T. "TED", 81, of Coventry, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at Miriam Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Carol L. (Anderson) Perry for 59 years. Born in Coventry, he was a son of the late Frank J. and Anna E. (Dusza) Perry.
Ted attended La Salle Academy, where he made all-state in wrestling and graduated with honors with the Class of 1957. Ted graduated from Providence College in 1961 with Magna Cum Laude honors. He went on to attend the University of Vermont, earning his MD degree in 1966. During the Vietnam War, Ted served his Country as an Anesthesiologist at field hospitals in CuChi and AnKhe, achieving the rank of Captain in the United States Air Force.
Following an Anesthesia residency, Ted returned to RI and joined the Anesthesia Associates at Kent County Memorial Hospital. He served his patients, friends and family there for more than 20 years. As time went on, Ted became Chief of Anesthesia and served a term as President of the medical staff. In 1995, Ted moved on to Pawtucket Memorial Hospital where he formed Anesthesia Care, Inc., serving as Chief of Anesthesia there for several years. During this time, he traveled to Honduras with Catholic Medical Missions to help provide anesthesia services to people in need. He loved his work, his patients, and teaching student nurse anesthetists. He was proud to say he was able to continue to work until the age of 79.
Ted enjoyed many hobbies and activities. He learned Morse code and became a licensed ham radio operator, W1WFZ, at age 11. He exchanged QSL cards with hams from more than 325 countries. During high school Ted worked for his dad, a realtor, showing model homes on weekends, becoming a real estate agent. For years, Ted served on the Coventry Democratic Committee and for several terms on the Coventry Zoning Board. He developed an interest in flying and became a private pilot. He enjoyed many jaunts around New England and the Islands with his wife and sometimes a kid or two. In later years, Ted and Carol enjoyed winters at Barefoot Bay, FL. Ted was very involved with his sons in the boy scouts and "Doc" was on the troop committee for Troop 71, Washington, for ten years. Also, Ted was a member of Johan Baner Lodge, #36, Vasa Order of America, serving several terms as chairman. With family Ted always enjoyed a good game of cards, especially Cutthroat High Low Jack at "The Camp".
Above all else, Ted dearly loved his wife, Carol, and their children. Over the years many exciting adventures were enjoyed together: skiing, camping, remodeling a 200-year old house, trips to Disney, cruising with friends and traveling around the world . Ted was the father of Fred Joseph "Joe" Perry (Jeff Janelle), Pamela Pam Anne Jackson, Patricia Lee Perry (Fred Bibeau), and James Michael Jim Perry (Sukanya), all of Coventry. Grandfather of Ben, Teddy, Ryan, Chris, Frankie, Joshua, and Jonathan. Brother of William F. Perry (Charlene), of Barefoot Bay, FL, and the late Francis "Frank" J. Perry Jr., P.E. (Elizabeth). In addition Ted leaves four god children, seven nieces, five nephews and many cousins. He was the uncle of the late Keith K. Anderson and Justin F. Perry.
Many thanks to the doctors and nurses on 4 East, Miriam Hospital, for their care, concern and diligence for Ted. It is much appreciated. Many thanks to Drs. Thomas, Amin, SanAntonio, Dobrzynski, Jr, Chou and Olsson for being there for Ted. Thanks, too, to the wound clinic team at the Providence VA for their excellent care.
His funeral will be Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at 10:00 AM from the Iannotti Funeral Home, 415 Washington St. (RTE 117), Coventry with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in Saints John and Paul Church, 341 South Main St., Coventry. Interment with Military Funeral Honors at Saint Joseph's Cemetery, West Greenwich. Visiting hours Monday, 4:00 - 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ted memory to the Orchard Lake Seminary (sscms.edu) or Lifespan Cancer Institute at RI Hospital, 593 Eddy St., APC, Providence, RI 02903.