Charles “Mike” M. Perry, Sr., age 72, of Newark, DE, passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2022. He was born on October 23, 1949, in Wilmington, DE to the late Bayard O. Perry and Jane F. (Trethaway) Perry.

Mike grew up in Newark, DE and was a Newark High School graduate class of 1967. He was a member of Aetna Hose Hook and Ladder Volunteer Fire Company in Newark, DE for fifty years. Mike briefly attended Wesley college in Dover, DE, before he went on to serve his country in the United States Air Force and the Delaware Air National Guard (1968-2009). During his 40 plus years in the Air Force and Delaware Air National Guard, Mike accumulated more than 15,000 flight hours as a Loadmaster with most of those hours in the C-130 Hercules. He participated in multiple military deployments including Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom.

During his free time, Mike loved boating, spending time on the Chesapeake Bay and watching the Phillies play baseball. His greatest joy of all was spending time with his children and grandchildren. Mike will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Mike is survived by his son, Mike Perry, Jr. and his wife, Amanda of Landenberg, PA; daughter, Katie Smith and her husband, Thomas of Newark, DE; brother, Thomas Perry and his wife, Holly of Newark, DE; three sisters: Mary Lou Bashore of Newark, DE, Kristin Baynes of Newark, DE, and Theresa McGalliard and her husband, Rick of Middletown, DE; six grandchildren: Angela, Leah, Emmerson, Charlie, Declan, and Waylon; and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 1:00 pm at R.T. Foard and Jones, 122 West Main Street, Newark, DE, 19711 where friends and family may begin visiting at 12:00 pm. Burial will follow at 2:00 pm at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Drive, Bear, DE 19701. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to “VFW Post 7687” and send in care of the funeral home. To send online condolences please visit, www.rtfoard.com.