The “Gentle Giant” loved all
John Perry was a presence you couldn’t miss, not just because he towered at 6’5”, but owing to his infinite charm that filled any room he entered. His life, though tragically short, was marked by an infectious laughter, a love for storytelling, and a passion that made him deeply cherished by all who knew him, especially animals.
From a young age, John played football, basketball and pitched in baseball. He also won the title of “Cutest Boy in 9th Grade,” a testament to his widespread popularity among peers. John played guitar and piano, crafting melodies that became the backdrop of many family gatherings. His deepest passion lay in the arts. He loved to write, crafting stories or poems that reflected his introspective views.
John worked intermittently in construction and restaurant jobs, but he found true joy during his time at an animal shelter, where his gentle demeanor made him a favorite among the abandoned animals he cared for so passionately.
Family gatherings were cherished time for John, whether at beach outings or during ski vacations. Thanksgiving and Christmas were his favorite times of the year to be home, filled with family, and John’s wit and large laugh.
John’s personal life was full of ups and downs because of his substance use disorder. He dropped out of college in his sophomore year, a decision that pained his family and derailed his goal of becoming a dentist. John’s fifteen-year struggle with addiction cast a shadow over him, changing a man once known for his bear hugs and warm conversations into someone who could be difficult, sneaky, and disrespectful.
Despite these challenges, the essence of John—the ‘gentle giant’ as he was fondly remembered—have not faded from the memories of those who loved him, including his siblings, Alexander and Teal, and his best friends, Yeates and Peter. He had a heart that felt deeply for others, a fact that became especially clear in the stories shared after his passing, revealing how he had touched many lives.
The loss of John has left a void in the hearts of his siblings, his close friends, and most profoundly, his mother, who shared that when she dreams about John “he speaks to me, which gives me a sense of peace and happiness.” “Still, there is a grief and sorrow in my soul that never goes away.”
John’s mother, Susan Ferguson, provided the information for this narrative.
August 16, 1985-February 12, 2016-Age 30
Portrait Artist: Jeremy Hebbel
Narrative Writer: Barbara Francois
