Donald Gardiner ‘Don’ Perryman Jr.

Don was born in Albany on May 15, 1960, the son of Donald Gardiner and Gail (Elliott) Perryman Sr.

Don was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake and worked various jobs in the Tri-Lakes area. He joined active duty in the U.S. Army in 1978, serving at Fort Meade, Maryland, Fort Drum, New York, and Fulda, Germany, until 1986, when he became a police officer with the village of Saranac Lake, working his way to chief of police and retiring in 2008. Don returned to school to earn his degree in nursing, becoming a registered nurse. He worked for St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center, the Adirondack Arc and most recently at Elderwood of Uihlein at Lake Placid. Don has been known to say about his nursing, “I’ve found my calling.” Don was an avid outdoorsman and guide. He could always be seen hunting, fishing, canoeing, hiking, camping and just being found in nature.

Don is survived by his father and mother; his partner Helena Hough; his two sons: Donald (Jenny) Perryman III of Leipzig, Germany, and Cody Perryman of Tupper Lake; his daughter Crystal Perryman of Saranac Lake; his brother Daniel (Bonnie) Perryman of Vermontville; his sisters: Cindy (Phillip) Wilkinson of Virginia and Sandy Perryman (Keith Huntley) of Stillwater; as well as his grandchildren: Donald and Myla Perryman of Leipzig, Germany, and Landon, Aubrey and Nolen Perryman of Saranac Lake.

Don was preceded in death by his wife Sabrina in 2018.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home. At Don’s request, there will be no calling hours. Funeral services are private and will be at the convenience of the family.

Family and friends wishing to remember Donald G. Perryman Jr. can send memorial contributions to the Tri-Lakes Humane Society or the American Cancer Society in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, 20 Church St., Saranac Lake, NY 12983. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at www.fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.

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(The obituary has been updated from an earlier version at the request of Mr. Perryman’s family.)