Dave Perkins
1942-2005
Dave Perkins, 63, died at his home in Central Park unexpectedly from an internal hemorrhage Saturday, October 22, 2005. Dave was born in Olympia, WA. March 19, 1942 to Alfred G. and Rachel (Rasanen) Perkins. He was raised in Aberdeen and attended Weatherwax High School.
At age 16, he traveled to Europe with his grandfather and spent a month in Finland.
As a young man he worked in shake mills, a tuna cannery and at Harbor Plywood. In 1965, he became employed as a laborer in the electrical department with the City Of Aberdeen, working his way up to Electrical Inspector. He retired in 1995, at age 53, as Transportation Systems Manager, after which he worked four years as deputy coroner. In March 1966, he began a 25-year career with the Central Park Volunteer Fire Department, serving as captain and first aid officer. He taught first aid classes for Labor & Industries as well as the Red Cross. Dave was the first EMT in Grays Harbor county after completing classes in Olympia in 1977, and went on to teach EMT classes for many years as lay coordinator with Dr. Juris Macs as physician coordinator.
He was an avid fisherman, who loved his Wooldridge Jet Sled.
In the late 1950’s, he bought his first motorcycle, joined the Grays Harbor Motorcycle Club and enjoyed racing at Graham and Castlerock. Many years later, after retirement, Dave purchased a Harley-Davidson, which he and his wife logged over 95,000 mile on over a four-year span. In the spring of 2004, they rode 11,000 miles, traveling to 35 states in 45 days.
Survivors include his wife of 43 years, JoAnn (Capriotti); his daughter, Tanya Murray, grandchildren Michael and Ashley Murray, all of Aberdeen; a sister Lee Bickle of Olympia; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a grandson and granddaughter.
Donations may be made to the Central Park Fire Department. A memorial service will be held Friday, October 28, 2005 at 1 p.m. at Whiteside Family Mortuary in Montesano. Friends and family are invited to share memories and sign the online guestbook at www.whitesidefamilymortuaries.com.
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