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Obituary for Charles Gale Perry
Charles Gale Perry, 95, beloved husband of the late Virginia, passed away on Friday, September 17, 2021.
Gale was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 4, 1926, the youngest of eight children of the late Bert and Bessie Perry. He moved to Milford as a teenager to live with his oldest sister, Ruth Culham. He graduated early from Milford High School in 1945 to join the US Army at the end of WWII. After his service, Gale came back to Milford and married Virginia Grondin on November 8, 1947 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Milford. Following their wedding, Gale and Virginia moved into a house built by Virginia’s father on GM Rd, where they lived all their married lives. Additionally, three of Virginia’s brothers also lived in the same block There they raised their four children and served as loving aunt and uncle to the 13 nieces and nephews living nearby. They loved celebrating the holidays, hosting Thanksgiving dinner and New Year Eve’s parties for the entire block. Gale was noted for the brightly lit outdoor Christmas tree he decorated year after year, regardless of how tall it got. Gale lived in that same house until he was 91 years old.
Gale was a great dad and mentor to all the family. Our best memories involved the many times he would take a full station wagon load of kids out to Camp Dearborn for swimming or to Kensington Metro Park for ice-skating in the winter. This was often in excess of a dozen kids piled into the back end of the station wagon. Gale was very involved in St. Mary’s church, serving as both usher and adult leader of the youth group for many years. Gale’s defining character trait was that of a caregiver, to his nuclear and extended family and the community at large. He will be missed by many.
Gale and Virginia traveled extensively, to the US, Europe, Asia and South America. Gale enjoyed his time with his family, feeding his birds, and taking photos at every occasion, as well as a little Crown Royal to top off the day. He had many good days.
Gale loved to laugh, and was a bit of a prankster, always looking to get a rise out of Virginia. Their life together was filled with love, laughter, family and friends. Virginia, passed away in 2003, after 56 years of marriage. Gale’s sense of humor, kindness, and zest for life will be greatly missed by not only his family, but for all who crossed his path.
Gale was predeceased by his wife Virginia, and grandson Brandon Perry. Loving father of Marlene Gomez (Arturo), Charlie Perry (Diane), Jan Spence (John), and Brent Perry (Sue). Devoted grandfather of Timothy Brown II, Ian Perry (Anne), Isaac Perry (Andrea), Kevin Spence, Eric Spence, Stephen Spence (Lauren Cona), Rene Perry, and Keith Perry. Proud great-grandfather of Timothy Brown III, Colten Perry (Monica), Oliver Perry, Charlotte Perry, Oscar Perry, Ginny Perry, Lincoln Perry, Layla Perry, Griffin Spence, and Jaina Spence. Also survived by a sister, Persis Perry Draper, as well as family members Donald and Alice Grondin, and Mary Grondin, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 24, 2021 at 11:00am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church 1955 E. Commerce St, Milford, MI 43831. Visitation begins at the church at 10:00am, and the family asks that all CDC protocols be followed. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to St. Jude’s hospital, a charity Gale supported for many years.
Burial will take place at Milford Memorial Cemetery next to his beloved Virginia, and near his grandson Brandon.
