Richard "Rick" Perry, 70, Massena

MASSENA - Richard “Rick” Perry, resident of North Port, Florida and summer resident of Massena, NY, passed away on Thursday, October 3, 2024.
Rick was born in Massena, NY on March 24, 1954, the son of Harold and Jeanne (Seguin) Perry.
He graduated from Massena Central High School, Class of 1972. He then attended Canton ATC graduating with an associate’s degree in science in 1974. From Canton he transferred to Brockport SUNY College graduating with a bachelor’s degree in health science in 1976.
After graduation he chose to remain in the Rochester, NY area working at various jobs and embracing a bohemian lifestyle. He lived around Rochester until 1981, when he returned to Massena to accept a job as a security guard at Alcoa Massena Operations.
Over the next 20 years he received three other promotions including Technician, Industrial Hygienist and finally the Aluminum Service/Electrode Health & Safety Training leader.
A few years after this he accepted a position as EHS Supervisor at a Alcoa subsidiary in the Automotive Division located near Muskegon Michigan. He worked there for two years before accepting a temporary assignment to fill-in for an EHS Manager who was going to be overseas for a year (2005-2006). This position was in El Paso Texas at another Alcoa Automotive facility.
In 2007 he was offered a job as a Safety Specialist/Radiation Safety Officer at the Alcoa Point Comfort Refinery located in Point Comfort Texas. He worked at Point Comfort till his retirement in 2015 ending with 34 years with the company.
Rick was a regular blood donor from his early 20’s up to his mid-50’s. He also was a CPR instructor with the American Heart Association while he lived around Rochester and with the Red Cross when he moved back to Massena.
When he had the time, he enjoyed cross country and downhill skiing as well as scuba diving and sailing catamarans. He was an average backyard mechanic whose motto was “It could have been done cheaper, but I did it myself”.
He began riding motorcycles in his teens and continued till his death though he had switched to a trike in his later years.
After retiring from Alcoa, he left Texas and moved to Florida where he had family. Later on, he purchased a summer home in Louisville, NY where he could swim and watch river traffic on the St. Lawrence and avoid the hurricanes common to Florida in the summer.
In his final year he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease which ultimately led to his death though he felt upon reflection that he had lived a life that suited him and had more than his share of good luck.
Rick is survived by his girlfriend Kathy Barclay, Waddington, NY, His mother Jeanne Seguin Perry, Fort Myers, FL. His Brother Robert Perry and his wife Kathryn Harvey Perry of Massena, NY, his sister Brenda Perry Loman and her husband Rick Loman of Rochester, NY and his sister Lynn Perry Knowles and her husband Chris Knowles Fort Myers, FL. Rick is also survived by five nieces, one grandnephew and one grandniece. He was predeceased by his father Harold A. Perry in 2021.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Phillips Memorial Home in Massena. There will be no calling hours or services per the deceased wishes. Burial to take place privately in Pine Grove Cemetery, Norfolk.
Memorial contributions may be shared with the ALS Association; 1300 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 600. Arlington, VA 22209.
Family and friends are encouraged to share memories, photos and condolence by visiting www.PhillipsMemorial.com.