Donald E. “Don” Perkins, 85, a retired owner, trainer and driver at Vernon Downs, died on Thursday, Feb. 26 in Utica’s St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital with his loving family at his side
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A son of the late Dr. William J. and Ella (Holgate) Perkins, Mr. Perkins was born on July 10, 1923 in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. He was a graduate of Honesdale Central School, Keystone College, the University of Scranton and Pennsylvania University, where he majored in Veterinary Science.
Mr. Perkins developed an affinity for the Standardbred sport at an early age. After an involvement in various aspects of the sport, Don became a regular at Vernon Downs in the late 1950’s and, through the years, competed against many of the top horsemen of his era. His passion for harness racing’s trotters and pacers, and association with some of the sport’s leading personalities provided him with tremendous pleasure.
A popular and respected horseman, Don developed many memorable performers, including the top-class pacers Chicken and K G Adios.
Mr. Perkins was a long-time member of the United States Trotting Association and the Harness Horse Association of Central New York. He served as a director and officer of the HHA-CNY until his retirement in the mid-1990’s. He was also an honorary member of the Vernon Chapter of the U. S. Harness Writers Assoc.
On May 17, 1947, Don and Ellen Webber were married in Churchville. Mrs. Perkins passed away on September 14, 1999.
Mr. Perkins is survived by a daughter, Sarah, and her husband, Donald Covell of Perry; a son, Scott, who resides in Fairport; four grandchildren, Michael and William Perkins, Adrian and Kenturah Bosarge, as well as several nieces and nephews, including noted Standardbred official Bill Perkins, the son of Robert “Cy” Perkins.
Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral service at 12 noon on Friday, March 6, 2009 in Cold Spring Chapel in Cold Spring, Pennsylvania. While there will be no local calling hours or funeral service, the family is planning to pay tribute to Don’s nearly 50-year Vernon residency at a later date, possibly with a celebration at Vernon Downs.
The Malecki Funeral Home, Inc. in Vernon is handling funeral arrangements.
(Vernon Downs)