Matthew J. Perry, 65, of Dover died at his residence on Friday, March 29th, 2024.
Matt was the third child of the late Delbert J. and Shirley A. Perry of Dover. A 1977 graduate of Dover High School and Buckeye Career Center, Matt was an avid member of Tuscarawas Intervalley Truckers van club and ran sound for several local bands. In 1979, Matt purchased his first Harley Davidson, a 1978 Super Glide, and his love of motorcycles was born. After graduation, Matt took his Harley and moved to Myrtle Beach, SC, where he spent his 20’s riding his motorcycle, working construction, and running sound for local rock bands. While in Myrtle Beach, Matt married his wife Sheila (m.1988, d.2023) and they gave birth to a son. In 1995, Matt returned home and began working at H&M Cycle and later Adventure Harley Davidson in Dover. During his time at Adventure Harley Davidson, Matt worked as a salesman selling hundreds of motorcycles until his retirement in 2018. Matt would consider all of those hundreds of customers to be friends.
Matt had a larger-than-life personality, and always had a smile on his face. He never considered any one to be a stranger. Matt treated all those he knew with his best intentions and had so much love to give. No matter the day, time or circumstances, his smile would light up a room and fill lives with joy. He was what you would call an all-around great man.
Matt was preceded in death by his parents, Delbert and Shirley Perry, and his sister Cheryl Brown.
Matt is survived by his son Mason (Haley Damko) Perry, former wife Sheila Perry, brother Mark (Cindi) Perry, brother-in-law Ricky Brown, sister Sue (Mike) Stokey, nieces and nephews: Melissa (Andy Wilson) Kelly, Chad (Carie) Perry, Casey Brown, Tiffany (Chris Bluemke) Brown, Eric (Shannon Yates) Brown, Brock (Katie) Stokey, and Beth (Shannon) Hunt-Stokey, as well as many great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 5th starting at 11:00 am in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory at Dover with Rev. Brian Flood officiating. Interment will be at the Dover Burial Park. Friends can call at the funeral home on Friday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. The family invites those with motorcycles to ride their bikes to the funeral. Following the graveside service, everyone is welcome to join in one last ride in honor of Matt.
Toland-Herzig Funeral Homes & Crematory
803 North Wooster Avenue
Dover, Ohio 44622
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com
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