TOPSHAM – Perry Harland Jordan, of Topsham, passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 21, 2016. He was 77.
Perry (or Bubba, as he was known to his family) was born in Waltham on May 11, 1939, the son of Asa and Dora (Grover) Jordan. He attended a one-room schoolhouse until the eighth grade and graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1957, where he was the senior class president. He went on to get his B.S. in education from the University of Maine at Machias and his master’s and C.A.S. degrees from the University of Maine at Orono.
A lifelong educator, Perry taught in Kittery for three years and then in Bangor, where he became director of special Education. Perry was passionate about children with special needs, inspiring several of his children and grandchildren to work in the same field. He also served as school superintendent in Brewer, and after retirement filled in as interim superintendent in Orrington and Orland. When he became visually impaired and could no longer drive, he taught GED classes at the Mountain View Youth Center in Charleston, catching rides daily with a friend.
Another of Perry’s lifelong passions was art. He was a prolific and talented painter, relying on his memory to paint striking images of the Penobscot River, Maine birch trees, his own gardens and more. He often said his paintings were inspired by the works of Robert Frost, and his art was featured in galleries and local establishments throughout southern Maine. He was especially gifted at bringing neglected items back to life — he painted on old windows, weathered doors and driftwood and was known to scavenge Goodwill for frames for his art. His creativity and perseverance inspired the same in those around him.
Perry leaves behind his wife, Beckett Banfield Jordan; his three children, Kristen (Jordan) Perkins and her husband, Brian, Richard Jordan and his wife, Kris, and Elizabeth (Jordan) Davis and her husband, Jonathan; as well as his five grandchildren, Abigail, Laura, Benjamin, Nicholas and Elizabeth. His grandchildren were the great joy of his life. He is also survived by his siblings, Ellain Frost and her husband, Maurice, Joan Jordan and her husband, Phillip, and Ronald Jordan and his wife, Ann, as well as many nieces and nephews.
In his own words, Perry “lived a good life.” He had a big personality and an even bigger heart, and he will be missed by everyone who knew him.
The family will celebrate his life privately at a later date. In lieu of flowers or donations, we ask that you spend time and make memories with the ones you love.
