Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the time of Perry's birth, his parents were living in Fort Resolution. Although there was a hospital, there was no doctor at the time. Therefore, he had to be born in Mayerthorpe, Alberta, May of 1963. The journey back to Fort Resolution was a float plane from Fort Smith because the runway in Fort Resolution was out at the time.
The family left Fort Resolution in 1966 but returned to the NWT February of 1974 and settled in Hay River. Perry was a natural athlete and competed in many sports: hockey, softball, baseball, basketball, swimming, and track and field. Through sports, he formed strong bonds of friendship to remain true his whole life. He travelled to various places in the Northwest Territories and Canada as a member of teams representing NWT. Perry set an NWT record for high jump in 1978 that was still intact in 1987.
Following high school, Perry worked for the Hudson Bay Company as a manager trainee, and in 1982, he moved positions within the company at Lac La Biche. Opportunities for retail management opened up with him at Mark's Work Warehouse, which ultimately led him to Fort McMurray where he met his wife. Together, they raised three children, Matthew, Cole, and Rachel.
In 1989, Perry completed post-secondary studies in the information technology field and worked for Suncor Energy as an IT specialist. The company moved the family to Airdrie in 2011. Perry remained with Suncor until 2008 and started a new career path as a journeyman motorcycle mechanic, blending a passion for fixing things and mechanics.
Perry's love with sports carried on throughout his life. Hockey, a faithful Oiler fan and a proud member of the Fort McMurray Rugby Knights football team. He always found ways to support and involve in the interests of his family and children, coaching, supporting, and mentoring. He took great pride in his family and friends. People were important to Perry, his family and friends, co-workers to be sure, but even those newly met. He spoke so easily with people. Drawing from his life experience, remarkable memory, and sharp wit, he had a knack for connecting with people. He cherished the connection he made with people and found great joy in relating stories after stories of good times and adventures. He was loyal to a fault and always watching out for others, a genuine, honest man.
Perry was proud of being from the Northwest Territories. He loved the landscape, but mostly the people who became part of his life. He remained connected with his friends and throughout his life, not just through phone calls, emails, and comments, and messages on Facebook but by making the time to visit.
Perry made many trips back to the NWT to connect with old friends and seeing beloved sites. Among his fondest memory is taking the sled out onto the Great Slave and laying underneath the stars and watching the brilliance of the northern lights. Perry will be sadly missed by his friends and family. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.