Paul James Perkins

Paul James Perkins, 96, of South Kingstown, passed away Wednesday. He was the beloved husband of Eileen (Gray) Perkins for 75 years. Born in Boston, he was a son of the late John and Mary (McCarty) Perkins. After graduating high school, he joined the Civil Conservation Corp. He enlisted in the United States Navy on December 8, 1941, serving for 20 years, retiring in 1961. He was a distinguished Sonar Man for the Navy, graduating in the first class from the school in New London. He began his naval career as a sub-chaser, eventually being stationed at Pearl Harbor. After the Navy, he worked at the URI School of Oceanography, retiring in 1982. Mr. Perkins was fascinated with sound and is credited with the first recordings of whale songs, and he was known for his research on shipwrecks. He enjoyed gardening, walking on the beach, and was known for his dry sense of humor. Besides his wife, he is survived by four children, Eileen Edel of Narragansett, Paul Michael Perkins and his wife Carolyn of West Kingston, James Perkins of Wakefield, Thomas Perkins and his husband Ed Meadows of Southworth , WA; four grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Thomas Perkins of Charlestown and Richard Perkins of Florida; and a sister Mary Wilson of Scituate, MA. He was the brother of the late Joseph Perkins, John Perkins, and Philip Perkins. Visiting hours will be Monday, 8:30 10:00 am at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 114 High Street, Wakefield. Burial with military honors will follow in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.