METHUEN — The community had much to say about their friend, brother and beloved former mayor at a ceremony this week.
On Friday morning a crowd flowed into the Methuen Senior Center as a slideshow with pictures of late Mayor Neil Perry played. At a podium in front of the screen, city staff, volunteers and local residents praised Perry. A common theme emerged of resilience, which had carried Perry, despite his failing health, to accomplish much for the city right up until his death. They also spoke of his kindness and love, which engendered dedication to Perry by city employees and his friends.
“His pride in this city was unwavering,” said Senior Center Director Ashley Shaheen. “His impact was profound.”
Perry, 66, died on Sept. 21, after years of battling an illness which while at times had heavily impacted his mobility, had failed to touch his wit even at the end, according to speakers Friday. A special election to decide the new mayor has been set for Dec. 10.
Many have credited Perry with turning the page on corruption in the city and for creating a hopeful vision for the future of Methuen.
First Baptist Church Rev. Nathaniel Burnes lauded his good friend Friday, saying he had been first struck by Perry’s “thoughtfulness” when the mayor introduced himself and invited Burnes to be on his advisory panel after he was inaugurated.
“Mayor Perry cared about every resident in the city of Methuen,” he said.
As their friendship deepened, Burnes recounted how they began to refer to each other as “brother.”
Burnes served communion to Perry while he was in a rehabilitation center for five weeks.
For Burnes their work together culminated with the city’s Juneteenth celebration, a collaboration between churches and the city.
“Mayor Perry understood the importance of unity and respect across all cultures,” said Burnes.
In his final interview with the Eagle Tribune a day before his death, Perry had spoken passionately about Hispanic Heritage Month and the Juneteenth Celebration. He also reaffirmed his decision to put up a pride flag, a move he took flack from at the time.
Perry’s efforts behind the scenes to help those in need were brought to light Friday as well.
Acting Mayor D.J Beauregard, who counted Perry as a friend and mentor, said the former mayor had taken action after he learned a local family was struggling.
“He reached into his pocket and helped them,” said Beauregard.
In another instance he had covered rent for a family. Perry further cemented his reputation for kindness by creating a home heating and housing assistance program, according to Beauregard.
While Perry’s past five years of serving the city have been well documented, the rest of his 66 years, including his many years of working at Raytheon and time spent as teacher remain an untold story for many residents.
A small window into Perry’s past was opened when Carol DeLano spoke of meeting the man 50 years ago when he was a boy.
DeLano said she was part of a youth group working on a clean-up effort when Perry offered to help.
“Whatever we were doing he jumped in and helped,” she said. “That was the way his dad taught him.”
Time passed and DeLano found herself working at a cafeteria at a school in the city’s Arlington neighborhood.
At this time Perry, who kept up with Spanish until his death, was working as a bilingual educator.
After a fire at the school DeLano said Perry along with other educators knocked on the doors of all the students’ homes and told them in a language their parents understood what buses to take and where to go.
“He took care of these kids,” she said. “He brought all of that care and that extra touch.”
Another employee to speak warmly about their former boss was Fire Chief Tim Sheehy, who became close friends with Perry, and helped to transport him when he was struggling with his mobility.
“He was more than a mayor to me,” said Sheehy. “I miss him deeply.”