“Bittersweet” is how late Mayor Neil Perry’s son Sean described tonight’s unveiling of his dad’s mayoral portrait on the third floor of City Hall.
In a crowded hallway prior to the City Council meeting, Perry’s photo joined those of previous city mayors Samuel Rushton (Methuen’s first mayor who served from 1918-1921), Dennis DiZoglio (1994-2000), Sharon Pollard (2000-2006), William Manzi III (2006-2012), Stephen Zanni (2012-2017) and James Jajuga (2018-2020). For the other years, Methuen utilized a town manager/town council form of government. DiZoglio, Manzi and Jajuga were on-hand for the portrait unveiling, along with Perry’s family, city officials, department heads and citizens.
Late Mayor Perry’s children (from left) Colin, Sean and Matthew (as well as Kieran, not shown) look on as their father’s portrait joins the wall of Methuen mayors. MethuenLife photos by Melissa Fili
“Tonight is something we would do traditionally at the conclusion of a mayor’s term of office,” said Mayor DJ Beauregard, who last Tuesday was elected to serve the remainder of Perry’s third and final term. “But sadly we’re doing things a little different this year, of course, given the circumstances. Tonight, I want to pay tribute to our late mayor, to his remarkable legacy.”
Mayor Perry died Sept. 21 at age 66 after a period of declining health. He was known for his concern for all citizens (particularly during the COVID pandemic), his love of Methuen history and wearing his heart on his sleeve. His death saddened officials and residents alike, across the city and beyond.
First Baptist Church pastor, the Rev. Nathaniel Burnes, who Beauregard described as “one of Mayor Perry’s closest confidantes,” spoke about recently accidentally dialing Perry – with whom he spoke frequently – on his cell phone.
“ ‘What do I do?’ I hung up and started to meditate about our friendship,” Burnes said, upon seeing Perry’s name on his phone. “It was just saying to me that we’re still connected. We must continue to carry the legacy, be united, be a good community, love each other, care for each other … and I thank him for all he’s done. His work will not go unnoticed.”
Burnes then led the crowd in a moment of meditation.
Sean Perry spoke on behalf of his siblings, thanking city officials for working collaboratively with their dad.
Mayor Perry’s framed portrait.
“It’s bittersweet being here … The silver lining there is that even though (Perry) is not here, in much the same way his portrait will hang over and look over us. I think all the people who are here to carry out his legacy are where they should be – they’re all right here. It’s a group of people that I think can all relate to his care and his love for his community, his friends and his family.”
Three of Perry’s four children removed the covering, revealing the portrait of Perry. With a backdrop of the American flag, Perry is sporting gray facial hair, dark-framed glasses and a slight smile along with a gray-plaid jacket, white- and gray-striped shirt and a black patterned tie.
