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But this Sunday, he'll have to get used to just being seen. Perry is the grand marshal for the Hilton Head Island St. Patrick's Day Parade.
The North Carolina native has lived on Hilton Head since 1972. Since then, he's ingrained himself in the community, helping establish the Island Recreation Center. He's also served on multiple boards, including presiding as president of the Booster Club of Sea Pines Montessori Academy and the Rotary Club of Hilton Head Island. He ran Perry Printing, the first printing company on the island, which is now operated by his son.
His deep, Southern-tinged voice is instantly recognizable as he announces the golfers as they approach the 9th green at the Heritage.
Perry describes why he's lucky to be Irish for a day.
Question. Have you been in a parade before?
Answer. Never been a grand marshal before, but a number of years back, because I was one of the founders of the Rec Center, we had a float in the parade and I was on that.
Q. Have you been practicing your wave?
A. Absolutely. That's a difficult thing to do (laughs). They told me there's a special way to wave. It's like screwing in a lightbulb. I've been practicing every day now for the past two weeks.
Q. You've been involved in a lot of groups in the past. What are you involved in now?
A. I'm heavily involved at Providence Presbyterian Church. … Something I always felt is that if you live in a community or work in a community, you should give back to the community. That's something I've always talked to my kids about, giving back to the community.
And I still do the Heritage. This will be my 24th year. I'm the chairman of the announcers. I do most of my announcing on (hole) nine and then on Saturday and Sunday I might do 18.
Q. How did that job come about?
A. A good friend of mine started the announcing when the Heritage started. He asked me if I was interested in becoming an announcer to help him out. He retired, and I took over from him. He's since passed, but he was the best. I try to interact with the spectators, ask trivia about the golfers. I've enjoyed it very much.
Q. Looking forward to the parade?
A. I have two grandsons who wanted to ride with me in the parade, and I thought that'd be wonderful. Then they wanted to know if we could ride in a Ferrari.
Q. Good luck with that.
A. Well, I don't think a Ferrari would fit me, my wife and my grandchildren. Either way, it'll be fun.
