By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Services for Chief Warrant Officer George P. Perry, who died in the crash of two Army helicopters Monday in Kahuku, will be held tomorrow at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Nu‘uanu.
Perry, 41, was one of six Army soldiers who died when two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters crashed during a training mission Monday night. The Kapolei resident was a pilot on one of the two helicopters.
Perry was born in San Francisco on Feb. 22, 1959, and moved to Hawai‘i as a youth. He attended St. Louis School, where he played linebacker on the Crusaders football team, and then graduated from the University of Hawai‘i.
Perry is survived by his wife, Lovie; sons, Michael and Daniel; parents, Lawrence and Beverly; and brothers, Gregg and Geoffery.
Gregg Perry used words such as integrity, commitment, family and tradition to describe his late brother. George was the eldest of three Perry sons.
"I consider myself very lucky to have had a brother like George. It’s very difficult for the entire family to lose somebody in our family, because we are so close," Gregg Perry said.
He said his brother had returned to Hawai‘i about a year ago. The family was planning a reunion in a couple of months.
"(George) was accepted in Army fixed-wing (flight) school, but he opted to fly Black Hawks just so that he could be stationed back home," Gregg Perry said. "He was hoping to finish out his tour here at home and reach his 20 years in the military and be at home. He wanted his boys to be near family."
Gregg Perry expressed his condolences to the families of other victims of Monday’s crash. He also thanked the Army, friends and St. Louis School for their support.
Visitation begins at 9 a.m. tomorrow at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, with Mass at 11 a.m. Burial will be Monday at 11 a.m. at the Hawai‘i State Veterans Cemetery.
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