Courtland Perry Jr

Courtland “Court” Eugene Perry Jr., 74, of Grand Isle, VT, passed away, surrounded by his loving family at the University of Vermont Medical Center on February 23, 2026. He was born October 15, 1951, to Silvette (Hastings) and Courtland E. Perry Sr., in Montpelier, Vermont. Court graduated from Montpelier High School in 1969 and then attended Northeastern University where he was first introduced to the construction industry.

Court was a hardworking, humble, kind, athletic, funny, and faithful man devoted to family, friends, and community. His love for the outdoors, problem solving, and working with others was fully expressed throughout his career as a heavy construction estimator and project manager. Known for his smile and laugh, he left a lasting mark throughout Vermont and New England, from his role in the early 80’s as the young project manager for the construction of Burlington's landmark Church Street Marketplace, to his most recent project as the experienced volunteer construction manager for the Knight Point State Park Pickleball Courts in North Hero.

Court believed in marriage and family. He was quoted as saying, “I like being married and family is everything.” He and his adored wife and best friend, Donna recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. He supported his two sons through their formative years: Roth in the launch and operation of his construction company, and Chad during his service as a Marine, serving overseas in Iraq. Cherished memories were made at the family camp on Caspian Lake in Greensboro, VT, a place that brought together multiple generations, from his grandparents to his grandchildren, as well as many close and extended family members and friends. He and Donna enjoyed escaping Vermont winters for trips to Florida, which began when his own family was young, visiting his in-laws and later providing similar shared experiences to his two grandsons.

Court’s volunteer and community service positions began early. As a high school volunteer with the Ski Patrol at Bolton Valley, he notably saved a young girl's life and fostered a lifelong passion for helping others. Later, he served by coaching his sons' sports teams and sitting on various local town boards. In retirement, he continued his community service by serving on the Islands Pickleball Association Board, as a water commissioner for the Grand Isle Consolidated Water District, as a church volunteer, and by consistently lending a hand, helping his son Roth with various projects at Donaldson Park.

His long-standing passions carried right on through into retirement, culminating with a pickleball doubles gold medal championship for his age and division in the 2025 Vermont Senior Games. A lifelong lover of Jeeps, he shared one final and cherished Jeep trail run with his son and grandsons at the fall Bethel Maine Jeep Jamboree.

Court’s other interests included boating, snowmobiling, geocaching, hiking, walking and watching western TV shows and movies. He also enjoyed maintaining his and his son’s property (especially outdoors), watching his grandsons participate in their various sports activities, and making new friends wherever he went. Court felt fulfilled with his life and was deeply grateful.

He will be missed by his beloved wife, Donna G. Perry; his devoted sons, Courtland “Roth” (Elaine) Perry and Chad Michael Perry; his treasured grandsons, Courtland Daniel Perry, and Jonathan Roger Perry; his canine granddogs, Sammi and Ajax; his sister, Debbie (Earl) Kasper; his sister-in-law, Jackie (Richard “Magoo”) McCready; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Court was predeceased by his parents, Courtland E. Perry Sr., and Silvette M. Perry; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Catherine (Gordon) Wilkinson, and Ercel (Milburn “Bud”) Harvey.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the University of Vermont Medical Center and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital for their medical and spiritual care.

A celebration of Court’s life will occur this summer and will be announced at a later date.

If friends desire, memorial donations may be made to Champlain Islands Food Shelf, PO Box 24, North Hero, VT 05474 or Grand Isle Rescue, PO Box 79, Grand Isle, VT 05458.