Donald Franklin Perham, age 90 of Wellington, passed away at home on Feb. 24.
Perham was born on Jan. 26, 1931, the son of Elmer and Lydia Perham. He was raised in Gloversville, N.Y., attended Kingsboro Elementary School and graduated from Gloversville High School in 1948.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, spending four years in Japan repairing airplane engines.
Upon discharge, Perham was employed by Pratt & Whitney in the experimental test department, working on the lunar module. This is where he met the love of his life, Beverly. They married on Aug. 1, 1959. He transferred to Florida in 1976, retiring in 1987.
Perham was an avid softball player, pitching for the Bottoms Up Team. He was involved in the building of the softball field at Pratt & Whitney, named Perham Field.
Donald and Beverly Perham established the Back to Basics program in 1984 to provide basic needs for school children in Palm Beach County. This program continues to thrive and grow, increasing its reach to nearly 10,000 school children.
Perham was predeceased by his son, Scott Guy, in 1971. He is survived by his wife of more than 61 years, Beverly. He is also survived by two sons, Tod Franklin (Lois) and Jeffrey, and three grandchildren, Elizabeth, Michael and Julie.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 13 at 1 p.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church, located at 13645 Paddock Drive in Wellington.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Donald Perham’s memory may be made to Back to Basics Inc., 3340 Fairlane Farms Road, Suite 10, Wellington, FL 33414, or www.backtobasicsinc.org.
