John "Jack" Perry

John K. “Jack” Perry, 89, of Cheboygan, passed away Saturday, August 29, 2015 at Tendercare of Cheboygan.

A lifelong resident of Cheboygan, Jack was born January 14, 1926 in Cheboygan, the son of William and Rose (O’Brien) Perry.  On October 30, 1948, in Cheboygan, he married Violet Niesen, who survives.  He served in the U.S. Navy as a coxswain on the USS Cotton (DD-669) in the American Area, Asiatic Pacific from 1944-1946.  He received four bars and seven stars for participation in campaigns including the Marshall Islands, Marianna Islands, and the Battle of the Philippine Sea.  As a young man, Jack worked at Center Tool and Machine Shop in Cheboygan, and later was employed for 37 years at Link Industries in Indian River, retiring in 1993 as plant manager.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and bird watching, and spending time with his family.  Jack was a member of St. Mary/St. Charles Catholic Church, the F.O.E and the VFW, all in Cheboygan.  His motto was always “you gotta have fun”.

Surviving are his wife of 67 years, Violet, four children, Jill (Ken) Kwiatkowski of Cheboygan, Joanne (Joe) McGurn of Traverse City, Jane (Dennis) Lange of Gaylord and Jason (Paige) Perry of Lewiston, 11 grandchildren, Matthew (Kristy) Kwiatkowski, Daniel Kwiatkowski, Patrick (Meggie) Kwiatkowski, Abbey (Kurt) Hausworth, Hanna Kwiatkowski, Ian (Breanna) McGurn, Maggie McGurn, Jilanne Lange, Jessica(Dominic) Million,  Jack Perry and Joe Perry, seven great grandchildren, Anthony Million, Savana and Danica Black, Addison and Elizabeth McGurn, Graeme Hausworth and Violet Kwiatkowski, a sister, Monica (George) Hinkley of Cheboygan and a brother, Richard Perry of Prattville, Alabama,  five sisters in law, Louise Perry of Lake, Darlene Perry of Cheboygan, Maxine Perry of Prattville, Alabama, Ruth Charboneau, also of Cheboygan and Nova Lee Niesen of Chouteau, Oklahoma, a special niece, Brenda Ingersoll and many other nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, Marvel Sly, Patricia Silbernagel, Rose Ellen Gilson, and an infant sister, Rita, and six brothers, Daniel, William “Bill”, Cullen “Kite”, Donald, and Bernard “Bun” Perry.

A memorial mass will be celebrated on Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 1:00pm, with the family greeting friends beginning at noon, at St. Mary/St. Charles Catholic Church.  Rev. Paul Megge will officiate, burial will be at St. Francis Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Tendercare of Cheboygan, Bishop Baraga School, or the charity of one’s choice.

The Nordman-Christian Funeral Home is caring for the family.

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