More than 100 friends and fellow softball players caravanned Saturday morning to the home of their fallen teammate in The Villages.
Patrick “Pat” Perkins suffered a stroke and died at his home in the Village of Polo Ridge. You can read his obituary at this link: Patrick Perkins obituary.
Perkins’ wife, Tricia Mack Perkins, and his son, Kasey, were moved to tears by the tribute caravan.
The 73-year-old Vietnam veteran was a top player in The Villages softball leagues and competed at both the Division 1 and Division 2 level, as well as competing on traveling teams which played throughout Florida.
Bill Cini of the Village of Silver Lake was one of the organizers of the caravan. Cini said that Perkins, “was an excellent talent, but more importantly was an excellent friend who always had a smile on his face.”
Daniel Smith along with his wife, Sandy, joined the caravan in their golf cart. The Village of Bridgeport at Miona Shores couple met Perkins more than 10 years ago.
Smith played with and against Perkins in several leagues and said he was a very good player at any position.
Eric Ehlers joined the caravan on his bright red Trek bicycle in honor of Perkins, who he said was a very good cyclist who would ride his bike to team practice and sometimes to the fields just to watch others play
“He was a heck of a guy,” Ehlers said.
Perkins also loved to garden and had just started a new flower garden the week he passed away. Several teammates brought flowers for his garden.
Those organizing the caravan wanted to offer their thanks to Community Watch and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office for their cooperation.
