Christopher L Perry, 86, passed away peacefully on April 7 at Country House in Greenville, DE, following a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. A beloved husband and father, Chris is survived by Nancy, his wife of 53 years; a son, Jeffery (Marti) of Belen, NM; and a daughter, Kimberly Hoyt (Robert) of Stewartstown, PA.
Chris was born on September 28, 1938, in Bayshore, NY, to Glen Crawford Hayes Perry and his wife, Sylvia Wallau Perry. Chris’ father had been a war correspondent covering the White House during WWII, after which the family moved to Wilmington, DE, where the senior Perry worked for the Public Affairs Department of the DuPont Company. Chris attended The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, and Princeton University, graduating in 1961, after which he received a master’s degree in 1962 from the Columbia University School of Journalism.
Chris’ first professional role was in 1963 with the Dover Bureau of the Wilmington News Journal where he covered politics and the state legislature. In 1969, he joined the administration of Governor Russ Peterson as chief of staff. He then collaborated with friend and colleague Mike Harkins to form “The Agency”, a political consulting firm focusing on politics and public policy issues. Chris acquired Delaware Today magazine in 1973, selling the publication in 1976 to become Chief of Staff to Eliott Richardson, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Following a change in White House administrations, Chris joined in the Public Affairs Department of the DuPont Company where he rose to the position of Managing Director. During his later years at DuPont, he represented the company’s CEO Ed Woolard in launching the Business Public Education Council, a CEO-led organization that facilitated many productive initiatives to help improve the state’s public school system. Retiring from DuPont in 1992, Chris created a speechwriting business where he wrote major addresses for a variety of CEOs, corporate officers and university presidents. In 2000, he and Nancy relocated to Columbus, Ohio, where he assumed speechwriting duties for the President of The Ohio State University. While there, both Chris and Nancy became rabid Buckeye fans attending games and rallies, belting out the Fight Song and Carmen Ohio.
Chris and Nancy relocated to Weston, VT in 2002, where they lived for many years and during which Chris continued to write speeches for a variety of corporate executives. Eventually retiring, Chris and Nancy moved in 2017 to the warmer weather of Williamsburg, VA, and finally to the Country House in Greenville in 2023.
Chris served on the boards of Wilmington’s YMCA and Delaware Technical and Community College. In Weston, he served on the board of the renowned Weston Theatre Company and Old Parish Church.
Chris enjoyed sailing with his wife Nancy on the Chesapeake Bay, swimming, jogging and golfing. One of his greatest joys was the companionship he relished with a series of three Hungarian Puli sheep dogs: Tyke, Bruton and Trip. Only 8 years out of the 53 Nancy and Chris were married were they without one of their beloved Pulis.
Chris was most known and appreciated for the strength of his character. His integrity, compassion and a witty sense of humor were at the center of who he was.
During his last few months, Chris was fortunate to be aided by the wonderful, caring staff of the Memory Care Center and Skilled Nursing Department at Acts Country House. Their kindness, generosity of spirit and support will never be forgotten.
A memorial service for Chris will be held on Wednesday, May 7 at 11 AM at Country House, 4830 Kennett Pike in Greenville. Internment will occur at a later time in the Memorial Garden at Christ Church Christiana Hundred.
In lieu of flowers, please consider the following:
- Acts Legacy Fund. On the memo line, please enter Country House Employee Education Fund. Acts Country House, 4830 Kennett Pike, Wilm., DE. 19807
- The Parkinson’s Organization, Mid-Atlantic at www.Parkinson.org/Mid-Atlantic.
- Weston Theatre Company, 703 Main Street, Weston, VT. 05161
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