The sudden death of Francis C. Perry on Friday last while on duty as Probation Officer at the Natick District Court, following so closely that of the Clerk of the Court, came as a shock to the community in which he had spent nearly all his life.

     Mr. Perry had been pronounced in excellent health only a few weeks previous and was looking forward with considerable pleasure to the time only three months distant when he would retire from employ of the Boston & Albany railroad after a service of fifty three years.

     Mr. Perry was a native of Natick and was born at the Perry homestead in South Natick in 1853. He was a descendant of John Perry, who came from England in 1632 and settled in Roxbury, becoming one of the early members of John Eliot Church.

     His education was obtained in the Natick Public Schools but at the age of 17 entered the employ of the Boston and Albany Railroad at Wellesley becoming agent, and later was transferred to Natick. He had been affiliated with the R. R. Agents Asso. of N. E., First Master Agent of Order of R. R. Station Agents, First Chairman of the Adjustment Board, member of the R. R. Veterans Asso., and member of Crafts Club.

     In 1875 he married Angie J. Fairbanks, daughter of John B. Fairbanks. He is survived by his widow and four daughters; Mrs. Waldo D. (sic) Whitney of Boston, Mrs. Shirley P. Newton of Montreal, Canada, Mrs. Arthur O. Austin of Orleans, Vt., and Miss Marion L. Perry of Rome, N.Y.

     In politics Mr. Perry was a staunch Republican and for many years a member of the Republican Town Committee serving at various times as chairman and treasurer. He rendered efficient service on the School Committee and on Board of Overseers of the Poor. In 1897 and 1898 he served as a member of the Mass. State Legislature. He was a Trustee and Treasurer of the Maria Hayes Home for Aged People and for some years was a director of the Henry Wilson cooperative Bank serving on the finance committee. As later offices, Mr. Perry served on the Red Cross, Framingham Branch of the Mass. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. He was for several years Deputy Sheriff for Middlesex County and at the time of his death was Probation Officer of the Natick District Court.

     He was an active member of Unity Church, a member of the Natick Chapter Laymen's League, and American Uniterian Asso. of Boston.

     Mr. Perry was a Past Master of Meridian Lodge and Treasurer for eleven years, holding the position at the time of his death.

     Mr. Perry's varied interests were such as to bring him in contact with the citizens of Natick more fully than is usual with most individuals. Hurrying passengers at the depot; workers and business men at the freight office; voluntary and involuntary attendants at the court rooms; bretheren of the fraternal orders; temperence and church workers; all came to know him as one of the busy and influential men in our town. Many a time he was doing the work of two or even three men, and his friends often wondered how he was able to bear up under the strain. But even at such time he was the kind of a man whom one could turn for help in an emergency for he was the type of buys man who could always find room for one more duty when the call was a real one.

     Although nearing his seventieth year, his figure was erect and his step firm. He had a pleasant smile which endeared him to all who knew him. To those who met him in a business way he was calm and efficient, his modest demeanor and strict integrity calling forth instant confidence and respect. A staunch supporter of the highest standards of morality, he was always ready to cooperate with the forces of law and order, and best of all he daily practiced what he preached. But his strictness in this respect was combined with the deepest sympathy for those who could not walk on the higher plane, and as a probation officer he dwelt with human frailty with a rare combination of firmness and gentleness.

     Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at his home on West Central Street and were conducted by Rev Alfred W. Birks and the Masonic service by Wor. James H. Gilligan, P. M. of Meridian Lodge, assisted by Rev. Orville E. Crain, chaplain.

     Many officials of organizations with which he was affiliated were present among them George P. Yeager, Pres. of the Crafts Club and George Morrison, ex-president; Charles Duckering, representing the R. R. Transportation Department and Natick Town Officials.

     Among the floral offerings were pieces from the town of Natick, Republican Town committee, Past Masters of Meridian Lodge, Meridian Club, Trustees of Natick Masonic Trust, Parker Royal Arch Chapter, Natick Chapter D. A. R., R. R. Agents Asso., Natick Station Employees and Travelling Auditors, Executive Committee of Unity Church, Natick Chapter Laymen's League, Woman's Alliance Unity Church, Trustees Maria Hayes Home for Aged People, Health Office of Rome, N. Y. and Zonta Club, of Rome, N. Y.