Eric Bennet Perkins

June 2nd 1948 – June 26th, 2026

Born in Brooklyn, New York to Harrison Bennet Perkins and Marie Kirschbaum, Eric Bennet Perkins grew up in Madison, Connecticut. He studied at the prestigious boarding schools of Fessenden and Kent where he was enthralled by sports and books. Eric graduated from Syracuse University majoring in Political Science. 

He worked for the family business, The Perkins Moving and Storage Company, in his summers. He lost his parents while he was in college. They enjoyed playing handball and sailing at a very high level of competition. 

After college, he made his name in the shipping business off Centre Island, New York. Not long after, he moved his family down to Palm Beach, FL, he established routes to South America building a respectable business venture. 

Eric had a few pivotal moments in his life where he changed career professions. This landed his family to move up the east coast to call Richmond, VA home. He became a Broker with Wheat, First, Butcher & Singer which eventually became Wells Fargo Advisors. 

He established a tenured career with Virginia Information Technology Agency (VITA) part of the Commonwealth of Virginia retiring as an Enterprise Architect after 21 years writing governmental policies and procedures. He loved a good checklist. Eric achieved The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer service and boater safety with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. 

He was an athlete, thespian, avid book reader and collector, lover of boating and sailing then a Commander of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary in the latter years. Eric was a private man. He was a man of few words, but spoke the truth as blunt as it may seem. 

Eric was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Susan Eberly of 20 years. He is survived by his former wife, mother of his children, Alva Joyce Perkins, his children, Eric, Carolyne, Alison, Harrison and his 6 grandchildren – Jake, Brad, Anthony, Theo, George, and Henry.

Memorial Service will be held in the chapel at The Mount Vernon Memorial Park, Thursday, July 2nd, 20226 at 11 am. 

In lieu of flowers you are welcome to make a donation to the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.

To make tax-deductible donations, please go through the Auxiliary Association and complete the form found at (https://www.cgauxa.org/uploads/1/3/2/5/132519410/auxa_donation_form.pdf) and send it, along with the donation check, to 

Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

1301 W. First Street, Suite E-1

Granite City, IL 62040

Donations may also be made directly to USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 31. However such direct donations are not tax-deductible.