Rodney E. Perkins

West Warren - Rodney E. Perkins, 95, of West Warren, died peacefully on Sunday, October 24, 2021, at home surrounded by his loving family.

He leaves his 8 children; Joseph Perkins of Warren, David Perkins and his wife Mary of Hardwick, Norman Perkins of Warren, Steve Perkins of Warren, Gail Fountain and Michael of Warren, Virginia Perkins of North Brookfield, Vicky Hibbard of Warren, and Tina Roberts and her husband Fred of Warren; 18 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Hazel and Theresa and brother, Vernon.  He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Victoria L. (Monteverde) Perkins, his son-in-law, Michael Lizak, his 6 siblings, Helen, Thelma, Elizabeth, Lawrence, Albert and Nelson.  He was born in Winchendon, son of the late George and Ardele (Cochran) Perkins.

Rodney worked as a machine operator at Diamond International for 30 years, before retiring in 1987.

Rodney enjoyed every holiday and family get together - one Thanksgiving dinner they sat 50 people. He also enjoyed camping, hiking, riding his bike, and canoeing.  He would annually cook St. Patrick’s Day dinners of corned beef and cabbage.  On Veterans Day he would go to his grandchildren’s school to be part of the remembrance honors.  He loved taking his family to Maine to explore and enjoy the outdoors, and he followed the Boston sports teams.

Mr. Perkins was a United Sates Army Veteran of WW II where he was a member of Company B of the 345th Infantry Regiment with General George S. Patton.  He fought in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes and Alsace regions of northeast France and was awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his heroic service in combat.  In December 2019, he traveled to Belgium to participate in the 75th Anniversary ceremonies to commemorate the Battle and to pay honor to all those who died.  Published just this past June, he was featured in the book, The Rifle, written by Andrew Biggio, in the chapter titled, “Uncle Rodney.”  Along with some of the other last surviving WWII veterans, these brave men share their combat stories through an M1 Garand.

A Funeral Mass for Rodney will be held on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 10AM in Saint Paul’s Church, 1060 Main St., in Warren.  Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 from 4 to 6PM in Varnum Funeral Home, Inc, 43 East Main St., in West Brookfield.  Burial with military honors will be held in St. Paul’s Cemetery in Warren following the mass.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, 309 Waverly Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452 or www.alz.org/manh

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