He is survived by his wife, Gillian; his five children, William Hartwell Perry III of Wellesley, Mass., Theodore McCord Perry of Dedham, Mass., Alissa Perry Gumprecht of Rangeley, Maine, Alexandra Sykes Mills of Southborough, Mass., and Colin Macrae Sykes of Seattle, Wash.; and his 12 grandchildren, William, Tom, Mac, Ilona, Charlie, Samantha, Oliver, Lexi, Christopher, Wyatt, Stewart, and Sydney.

“Hart”, as he preferred to be called, was born in Newton, Mass., on Aug. 23, 1933, to Willam Hartwell Sr. and Edith (Pickens) Perry. He attended Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, Mass., and Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. It was while at Noble and Greenough School that he was introduced to the sport of rowing, an introduction that would lead to an incomparable lifetime of passion and dedication that would touch thousands of lives beyond his own.

He was a man whose focus and dedication cannot be replicated. While his history with the sport of rowing is legendary, and the numbers of lives he touched and affected in that arena countless, the scope of his legacy goes far beyond that. As an influential part of the faculty of Kent School in Kent for over 40 years, Hart oversaw the maturation of many young men and women. Held in the highest esteem, there is an endless list of “sons and daughters” who to this day and beyond will recount how “Mr. Perry” was an enormous influence on the men and women they are today.

Hart’s death has left an enormous empty space in the world. The impact of his passing will have a global resonance that will reverberate for quite some time. He crossed the finish line with ease, surrounded by his family and went with the class and dignity befitting a gentleman of his stature.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the National Rowing Foundation or to any other favorite charity in his name.

A funeral for family, friends, and close associates is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at Calvary Church in Stonington. A larger memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, April 16, at St. Joseph’s Chapel at Kent School in Kent.

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