Richard L. Perkins

Hubbardston - Mr. Richard L. Perkins Jr., of Hubbardston, formerly of Waltham, died Wednesday, March 28, 2012 in Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston. He was 54.

Rick was born on September 26, 1957 in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston, a son of Richard L. Perkins, Sr. and the late Shirley (Fawson) Perkins. A graduate of Waltham High School, class of 1976, he was a resident of Waltham before moving to a home he built in Hubbardston in 1993. He married Donna M. Curtin in Our Lady's Church on October 17, 1976.

His professional career began as a custodian at Bentley College before working as a carpenter in facilities management. Rick worked at Bentley for over 33 years. On Thanksgiving Day in 1992 Rick was the recipient of a heart through transplant at Brigham and Women's Hospital. It afforded him almost 20 years and he and his family remain eternally grateful to the transplant team at The Brigham through these years. Even the weakest heart is strong when it's filled with love.

Enjoyments in life came in numerous activities. He enjoyed camping, annual pilgrimages to the Cape, weekly movies with his sons while they grew and even beyond. All things aquatic: Rick loved the ocean, long walks along the beach, snorkeling and especially his pool in the backyard in Hubbardston. A Disney enthusiast he was most fond of "Pirates of the Caribbean." He learned to play cards at a young age and was taught the lesson he would later instill in his boys, "If you lose games you learn!"

A self taught mechanic he was always repairing a car for family or friends. To say Rick had a green thumb is an understatement. He took great pride in his yard and with mathematical precision, especially its maintenance, information about his lawn and plantings was recorded and renewed each year.

In addition to his wife, Donna, he leaves his sons, Michael R. Perkins and Matthew T. Perkins, both of Hubbardston; his father, Richard L. Perkins, Sr., of Newton; his siblings, Michael Perkins and his wife, Sharon, of Billerica, Marilyn "Marcy" DiMasi and her husband, Tony, of Waltham and Judee Ritacco and her husband, Jim, of Centerville and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Rick's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, April 1st from 2 to 5 p.m. and again at 10 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to the Shapiro Cardiovascular Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 116 Huntington Ave. 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02116.