Samuel Perkins

East Rochester ; Samuel "Ray" Perkins, 71, of 2 Morgan Road, died suddenly on Monday May 18, 2009, at Frisbie Memorial Hospital.Born March 9, 1938, in Shell Creek, Tenn., he was the son of the late Derotha Perkins. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy for six years. Sam has resided in Rochester since 1980, previously living in Somersworth and Massachusetts. He worked for Combustion Engineering, formerly C.E. Avery, as a welder and pump assembler for many years. Sam was a former member of the Masons and served as vice president of the Hilltop Snowmobilers Club. He enjoyed riding his Goldwing motorcycle and was a member of the Goldwing Motor Club. His hobbies included camping, traveling to visit family in Tennessee, watching the Red Sox and NASCAR on television.Members of his family include his wife of 51 years, Elizabeth (McGeorge) Perkins of Rochester; son, William "Billy" Perkins and wife, Sue, of Farmington; daughters, Cheryl Sullivan of Berwick, Maine, Patricia Perkins of Rochester, Kerry Perkins of Rollinsford; grandchildren, Erin Perkins, Jennifer Goodstein, Allison Sullivan, David Sullivan; close family members in Tennessee, James Hopson, Carroll Thomas and Henrietta Honeycutt; and many additional loving family members in Tennessee.Family and friends may visit Friday, 2-4 p.m., at the R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main Street, Rochester. A memorial service will follow at 4 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home.If desired donations in his memory may be made to the Special Olympics NH, c/o Dover Mighty Seals, 650 Elm Street, Manchester NH 03101.Visit the online guest book at www.fosters.com/obits