E. Mahlon (Mal) Perry of Barrington, R.I., died at home after a short illness on Oct. 30 with loving family by his side, He was 82.

Mahlon was the devoted husband of Natalie H. (Bailey) Perry for 58 years, and beloved father to E. Jonathan Perry and his wife Gerralyn of Kingston, R.I., Christopher Perry and his wife Celia of Homer, Alaska, Rebecca Perry of Centerville, Martha Perry Morrissette and her husband Richard of West Warwick, R.I., Daniel Perry and his wife Arden of Santa Cruz, Calif.

Born in Providence, R.I., Mahlon was the son of the late Edward T. and Gertrude (Brown) Perry. A 1946 graduate of Moses Brown, he graduated as a chemist from Brown University in 1950, received his master’s degree from the University of Connecticut in 1955 and his PhD in organic chemistry in 1956.

He worked for the Soluol Chemical Company from 1972 to 1994, retiring as plant manager, and previously worked for Owens Corning Fiberglass in Ashton, R.I., and ICI Organics in Providence. He was also a member of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists and the Sigma PSI Fraternity.

His love of the sea began at an early age when his family summered on the Kickemuit River in the Bristol Narrows section of Bristol. A lifelong sailor, Mal got his first boat at the age of eight and subsequently went on to own many wooden boats. Mal’s pride and joy was his 1953 34-foot Parece cabin cruiser Bec-Mar II, aboard which he and the family had so many cherished adventures since 1981.

Mal’s greatest legacy is his dedication and example as a father. He made a conscious decision as a young married man to spend his free time with his family. The family spent countless hours cruising Narragansett Bay and ventured off into Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound as the kids got older. He led them on explorations of Cuttyhunk and together they discovered Martha’s Vineyard in 1970 where they returned every summer for the next 35 years, spending weeks and eventually months in Vineyard Haven at Coastwise Wharf. The memories of family times together, roaring northeasters, and Vineyard friends were precious to him during the last few years of his life when it was no longer practical to spend the summer on the boat.

He loved and supported his family unconditionally, and was proud to say his best friends were his children; they are equally proud to say he has always been their best friend as well.

boat
Mal Perry’s beloved 1953 cabin cruiser, Bec Mar II. — unspecified

Mal and Natalie have been longtime season subscribers to Trinity Repertory Theatre in Providence and have enjoyed a long relationship with a terrific group of friends who gather regularly to discuss the plays they have enjoyed as well as relevant literature and movies.

He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Jonathan, Hannah, Zen, Ananda, and Clif, as well as his sister, Barbara Kenyon of Minnesota and her four children, Nan Morse, Bob, Art, and Don Kenyon. Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his niece, Pat Nalezny.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. in Swan Point Cemetery Chapel, followed by private interment in Swan Point Cemetery, Blackstone Boulevard, Providence.

To honor Mal’s legacy, donations in his memory may be made to any cancer organization of your choice or to Save the Bay. Visit smithmason.com for information and on-line condolences.