David Wardwell Perham, age 76, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2017. He was born in Lancaster, New Hampshire and raised by Ronald and Dorothy Perham in Lisbon. His death was preceded by his brother, Richard Perham, of West Paris, Maine and sisters, Mary Brown and Marsha Snell, of Lisbon. Dave leaves behind his loving wife of 50 years, Susan (Morris) Perham, sons Jeff and Charlie, daughters-in-law Heidi and Crissy, and four grandsons Alex, Andrew, Matthew, and Ryan. Dave grew up with a deep love of the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman, skills learned from his father and shared with friends and family. He attended primary and secondary school in Lisbon under the watchful eye of his father who served as Principal and later Superintendent of Schools. After high school, Dave enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served as a photographer at Plattsburg AFB and shot competitively on the 8th Air Force High Power Rifle Team. After Air Force service, Dave attended the University of New Hampshire where he studied business and was active in Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. During his time at UNH, Dave met his bride-to-be, Susan Morris during the summer of 1964. Dave and Sue were married in the summer of 1966 and began their life together moving a few times before settling in Somers, Connecticut from 1972-1980. There, Dave's career with Hallmark Cards flourished and they raised their son's, Jeff and Charlie, spending vacation time at the Wardwell camp in Locke Mills, ME. In 1980 Dave and Sue seized the opportunity to buy their own camp (Idylwilde) in Locke Mills. The following year Hallmark transferred him to South Florida where the family built a house in Wellington. During retirement Dave and Sue became "snowbirds" and split their time between Maine and Florida. Dave was particularly proud of his sons extended service in the Air Force and they all enjoyed membership in the Jackson Silver Post of the American Legion. Dave was a wonderful mentor to his grandchildren on the cribbage board and always eager to share stories of the North Woods. Dave was known to all as a kind and generous man, quick with a joke, and always willing to entertain guests. As an avid card player, he and Sue formed many friends through bridge groups and Dave was a regular at American Legion poker tournaments which often led him to use his favorite saying "When you're hot, you're hot!" He spent years pursuing lake trout on South Pond, and reflective of his personality, didn't give in until achieving success. David will have a marker placed near his parent's grave in West Paris, Maine this coming summer. His ashes will be joyfully spread by his family at memorable outdoor spots across New England. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to either the Lisbon Regional School Education Foundation (PO Box 113, Lisbon, NH 03585) or the Jackson Silver Post 68 of the American Legion (595 Gore Rd Greenwood, ME 04255). A Memorial Service will be held at the Palms West Funeral Home (110 Business Parkway, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33414) on February 10, 2017; 6pm gathering, 7pm service.
