He began his career in the family ice cream business at the age of 14. Through the years, he rose to lead the company founded by his grandfather. Thomas Charles Perry, Chairman Emeritus of Perry's Ice Cream, has died at the age of 76.
Born in Batavia, the life-long Akron resident was instrumental in planning and executing the move of Perry's corporate headquarters to Ice Cream Plaza in 1982. After retiring as President/CEO in 2000, he remained involved until 2016 as Chairman.
Perry served on the Board of Directors for the Bank of Akron and Ford Gum. Through the years, he also served as Village of Akron Mayor, as well as Trustee for 20 years.
Perry widely volunteered in the community, with the Akron Lions Club, Akron Masonic Lodge, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts and was actively involved with the First United Methodist Church in Akron.
Services will be held Friday beginning at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church. The company says Perry's favorite ice cream flavor was Butter Fudge Almond.
