Rev. Robert Perry

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4
” To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

Robert W. Perry experienced and journeyed through many seasons in his life, each one with his Heavenly Father cradling and holding him so closely as he navigated him through diverse changes, obstacles and courses. This prophetic scripture is a reminder that Robert only endured what the word of GOD declares.

A TIME TO BE BORN
Robert W. Perry’s life journey began 93 years ago when he was born in Brooklyn, New York to the late Sabra Purdie and Robert W. Perry, Sr. He was the only child and his parents’ pride and joy.

A TIME TO DIE
On Saturday, February 1, 2025, Robert peacefully departed from his body so that he might rest from his labor here on earth. GOD in His infinite wisdom and sovereignty brought an end to this season for Robert on this day. His final days were spent surrounded by the family that he nurtured and loved, and that loved him as well. This new season is not as fleeting as the others. It Is the everlasting one that his Heavenly Father promised: no more pain, no more heartaches, no more suffering- only peace as he rests in aster. It is a time when he can now dance and rejoice with the angels.

A TIME TO LOVE
Robert was joined in holy matrimony to his high school sweetheart, Odessa Brown of Portsmouth, VA. God blessed them with 71 beautiful years of marriage prior to his passing. Through their union three beautiful children were born- Jacquelyn Anderson (Ernest), Vincent Perry, and Crystal Perry Holden (Curtis), four grandchildren, Michael Reed (Allie Reed) of Columbia, South Carolina, Vincent Perry II, Sierra Perry, Jordan Perry, and three great grandchildren, Ariel Reed, Mya Reed, and Aliyah Reed of Columbia, South Carolina.

A TIME TO PLANT
Rev. Perry is a graduate of Virginia Union University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Master of Divinity Degree from the School of Theology. He attended Law School at American University, Washington, D.C.., Union Theological Seminary, New York, New York and matriculated in the Master of Science Degree program at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. Two Honorary Degrees were awarded to him from Virginia Seminary and College, Lynchburg, Virginia, in addition to an Honorary Degree from Virginia Union University. Rev. Perry is a Veteran of the Korean War where he received three bronze stars and attained the rank of Sergeant.

Dr. Perry brought diverse experiences into his ministry, becoming the first African American to be employed as a tariff agent for United Airlines in New York City. He was a social worker for the city of New York, an instructor at Norfolk State University, and Director of OIC, Southeastern Tidewater, Virginia.

Dr. Perry held many leadership positions, as Past President of the Hampton University Ministers Conference and Musicians’ Guild, Past President of the Stamford Council of Churches and Synagogues and Past President of the Connecticut State Missionary Baptist Convention. He served as the Convener of the Interdenominational Ministers and Pastors Alliance Coalition (IMPAC), membership in the Judah Baptist Association of the Connecticut State Missionary Baptist Convention, and member of the Board of Directors of the National Baptist Convention, Inc., USA. As Senior Pastor of Union Baptist Church of Stamford, where he served for 47 years and completed a 5.3 million dollar church construction, with the church serving as its own contractor in 1998. As a community activist in Connecticut, he was the first African American to serve on the Board of Ethics of the City of Stamford. He has served as Fire Commissioner for the City of Stamford, Stamford Police Chaplain and served two terms as the Police Commissioner for the City of Stamford. He additionally served on the advisory board for Fleet/Boston Bank Corporation. He was appointed to the Governor’s Task Force on Human Rights under Governor William A. O’ Neill of Connecticut. He was the recipient of The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award from the State of Connecticut. In 2013, he was recognized as one of the most influential 100 Blacks in Connecticut, by the Connecticut State Conference of the NAACP. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, initiated at Virginia Union University.

Under Dr. Perry’s leadership, Mission outreach flourished with the establishment of the Union Baptist Church in Whitlesea, South Africa, birthplace of President Nelson Mandela. Reverend and First Lady Odessa Perry also served as ministerial ambassadors during an evangelistic mission to the Soviet Union. Ecumenical services were exchanged with Agudath Shalom Synagogue and other churches. He participated in many meetings, panel discussions and services with the Interfaith Council of Southwestern Connecticut. Throughout the years Reverend and Dr. Odessa Perry hosted spiritual and cultural excursions with congregants of the Union Baptist Family to the Holy Land and the Motherland of Africa.

Rev. Perry often prayed in the sanctuary of the church during the early hours of Sunday morning before any other persons arrived. He demonstrated profound compassion and endearing love for his Church Family, by rendering prayer during telephone conversations, making hospital and home visits.

As Reverend Dr. Robert W. Perry closed this chapter of his life, we thank Almighty God for the anointed wisdom which he has shared with us for a half a century.

May we continue to be sustained by our reflections upon his spiritual teachings. The blessings of his Prophetic Preaching, Prolific Discipleship and Progressive Ministry will exist as a profound monumental legacy. To God be the Glory, Great Things He Has Done!

“ And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 (Rev. Perry’s favorite scripture)