BELGRADE – Donald J. Perkins, 63, died unexpectedly Thursday, August 19, 2021. He was born in Bangor on Feb. 18, 1958, a son of Frederick V. Perkins, Sr. and Patricia A. (Curran) Perkins.

Don was raised on dairy farms in downeast Maine and Belgrade, from which he came to appreciate the value of hard work and taking charge. He was a 1976 graduate of Messalonskee High School where he met his high school sweetheart, Jean. He and Jean married just after her graduation in 1977 and enjoyed 44 loving years of marriage and true partnership.

Don joined the apprenticeship at Bath Iron Works after high school, and steadily applied his hard work, integrity, and honesty to ascend into increasingly senior positions, eventually becoming a leader in the Contracts department. Realizing that to reach his career ambitions he would need to increase his level of education, Don dedicated his free time over the course of multiple years to earn his degree in Business Administration. He used this knowledge and credential to climb further into the executive ranks as his career took him to coastal Mississippi and the Ingalls shipyard, followed by stints in Baltimore, Northern Virginia, and back to Mississippi. During this time, he became a highly respected industry leader, and was widely adored by his employees, who strongly valued his approach to leadership that so clearly demonstrated his interest not only in their careers, but also their home and family lives. While driving outstanding results for his companies, he also took great pride in the role he and his teams played in serving the country’s military. Upon retiring to Belgrade with Jean in 2018, Don leveraged his reputation of contracting and professional excellence to start his own consulting firm and broader consortium and enjoyed serving a steady volume of clients.

Outside of work Don enjoyed staying active. He thoroughly enjoyed engaging with his brothers and sisters and broader family, as well as his many friends across the community and the country. He took pleasure from helping others through mentorship, goofing with his grandkids, coastal and mountain roadtrips with Jean, and playing a round of golf. Cycling was also a passion, and he took part in numerous Trek Across Maine events. You could also routinely find Don on his tractor changing the look of his yard, moving snow, or just generally tinkering. Don will be remembered for many things, but perhaps most of all for his kindness and generosity. He lived by the motto “No act of kindness is ever wasted,” and he applied this to his interactions with people from all walks of life, from strangers to dear friends and family. Don’s acts of service and generosity touched so many lives, and those close to him were fortunate to have his example to live by.

Mr. Perkins was pre-deceased by his father, Frederick V. Perkins, Sr. and two brothers: his twin, Daniel Perkins and Randall Perkins.

He is survived by his wife, Jean E. (Bickford) Perkins of Belgrade; two sons, Benjamin E. Perkins of Mt. Juliet, Tenn. and Alan F. Perkins of St. Petersburg, Fla.; his mother, Patricia A. (Curran) Perkins of Waterville; six brothers, Jeff Perkins of Hampden, Mike Perkins of Oakland, Ted Perkins of Rome, Jon Perkins of Rome, Fred V. Perkins, Jr. of Belgrade, and Matt Perkins of Windham, two sisters: Laurie Clark of Cheyenne, Wy. and Mary Perkins of Blue Hill; four grandchildren, Asher, Everett, Beckett and Weston; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

There will be no public visiting hours. A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on August 27 at 11:00 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Western Ave., Augusta. Burial will be at a later date in Pine Grove Cemetery, Belgrade. A Celebration of Life will be held in September, scheduling and venue details to be announced.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com

The family requests that donations be made in Don’s honor to a local charity of your choice, such as the:

Belgrade/Rome Special

Needs Food Pantry

PO Box 236

Belgrade, ME 04917

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