Sean Michael Perry, 39, of Mattapoisett, died suddenly November 23, 2015. He graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School, obtained an Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training from Bristol Community College, and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with Honors from UMass Dartmouth. Sean worked in Amsterdam, Netherlands for one year at the laboratory of Christiaan Levelt,, PhD at the Opthalmic Research Institute (now the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience). For 16 years, he worked in the laboratory of the Nobel Laureate Susumu Tonegawa at the Picower Institute for Learning & Memory at MIT, in Cambridge. As a senior lab member, he was relied on for expert knowledge on a wide range of subjects: including IT support and data management, immunohistochemistry, molecular biology, imaging and microscopy, animal handling and management. Sean also had the rare gift of having patience without bounds, and being able to teach and coach others regardless of their age or past experience. He was responsible for training all new lab members in fundamental skills, and lab alumni from around the world would defer to him for advice.
Sean also enjoyed and exceled in a wide variety of pursuits outside of work, including power boating, sailing, and fishing. In his first year in the North Atlantic Shark Fishing Tournament, he was on the team of the Beagle, which came in first place. He was also an accomplished competitive marksman in the New England area, placing in the top five in two separate competitions this past year. Sean was a former on call firefighter in Mattapoisett, and plowed snow for the Mattapoisett Highway Department. His other pastimes included photography, playing piano, working with animals, welding and metal sculpting. Sean was a humble and self-taught master of all trades. If you had a question – and many people did, from cooking to DIY construction projects – Sean always had an in-depth answer.
Sean is remembered as a kind and gentle soul by his parents Diane and Dennis Perry; sister Laura Perry; co-worker, cousin, and dear friend Candy Carr; godparents Kathy Carr and David Perry; mentor and uncle Andy Carr; and an extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins around the country. He was a true and loyal friend to many throughout his life.
Family and friends will be received on Friday, Dec. 4, from 4 to 8 PM at the Saunders Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday Dec. 5 at 9:30 at the Funeral Home, with burial following in Cushing Cemetery. Remembrances may be made in Sean’s name to a charity of your choice. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.