AUGUSTA – Wayne Richard Perkins, went home to be with his Lord on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

Wayne was born in Gardiner, Maine on April 20, 1947, to Lloyd A. and Ida E. (Freeman) Perkins. He grew up in Hallowell and graduated from Hall-Dale High School class of 1965. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Maine at Farmington in 1969. It was in college that he developed a love for learning. He would often stay up all night studying. It really did not matter if it was history, math, science, or literature. He just enjoyed it all. He excelled in many classes. Wayne went on to receive a Master of Science Degree from the University of Southern Maine where he was proud to graduate with a 4.0 grade average. He continued to take more courses whenever the opportunity presented itself. He loved to read and would “devour” books. It was a sad day in his life when he discovered his vision was fading and he had to struggle to read.

Wayne succeeded in hotel management. He attended Holiday Inn University and managed one of the top rated of the smaller Holiday Inn’s bringing home from Las Vegas, for the owners, the coveted Quality Excellence Award. Wayne spent most of his career with TD Bank in Deposit Operations, retiring in 2017 due to his illness. He was consistently commended for his dedication, dependability, and positive attitude.

One of Wayne’s most endearing qualities was his love for animals – there was a special bond between him and them. He was blessed with many awesome cats and dogs throughout his lifetime and each and every one of them held a special place in his heart.

He enjoyed raising Gloster canaries and rare finches, an interest he acquired from his maternal grandmother who raised canaries on her porch when he was a toddler. Somehow her interest was passed on to him. Wayne also enjoyed gardening. He had a green thumb. He enjoyed daylilies, especially yellow ones because he could see them from a distance. He and his sister, Kathy, were enthusiastic collectors of hostas. They traveled about seeking just the right ones. While they both collected hostas, she was able to help him collect over 150 varieties.

Wayne was proud to be a member of Church Hill Baptist Church in Augusta, Maine where he made treasured friendships. They became his family.

He was predeceased by his parents, Lloyd and Ida Perkins. Surviving are his sister, Kathy Clary, and her husband Les, his cat Sarah and Kathy’s special dog, Penny who knew Wayne as her “babysitter.”

Wayne and his sister, Kathy, held a special bond throughout their lives. They could lean on each other and count on each other’s love and support. Sometimes the strength came from one; at other times, it was from the other. At the end of his life, he was thankful she was there for him.

Kathy will be forever grateful for his love, support, and friendship throughout their lives. His standards were high and his generosity boundless. He had a big heart and truly enjoyed doing for others.

Anyone who knew Wayne was familiar with his witty sense of humor.

A going home service will be held at Church Hill Baptist Church on Wednesday, December 27, at 11 a.m. Burial will be held in the spring in Hallowell Cemetery.

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.

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