Thetford Center, Vt. —
He was born Aug. 11, 1951, in Hanover, N.H. a son of Reginald and Marion (French) Pero. Jim grew up in Thetford and attended Thetford Academy before moving to Bridgewater during high school to take care of his nana. He was married to Charlene Jillson and they made their home in Hartland for many years where they raised their three children. They moved to South Royalton shortly before Charlene died in 2000. Jim was married to Garnet Turner in 2003 and they have lived in Thetford Center most of the time since.
Jim worked as a mechanic and equipment operator for the Town of Woodstock for over 20 years before going to work for the State of Vermont Highway Department. He worked for his son Mike for a time, doing body work and then for the Town of Thetford until retiring due to poor health.
Jim will be fondly remembered for his friendly personality and loved spending time talking friends or strangers. He also loved spending time outdoors hunting, fishing and camping and enjoyed riding his Harley. For many years he was the Santa Claus at Breakfast with Santa in Hartland and each year he would bleach his beard and hair white to look as authentic as possible. Jim was the Chief of the Abenaki Nolka Clan and a past member of the Hartland Volunteer Fire Department.
He is survived by his wife, Garnet, of Thetford Center; sons, Mike Pero of South Royalton and Keith Pero of White River Jct., Vt.; daughter Michele Sousa of Manchester, N.H.; grandchildren, Ryan, Nitacia, Cheyanne, Emily, Hunter, Aiden and Skyler; stepson, John Turner and stepdaughter, Ruth Turner, both of Thetford Center; brothers, Bob Hazen of Hartland, Vt., Roger Pero of Walpole, Mass., Gordy Pero of White River Jct., and Fla., and Scott Pero of Strafford, Vt.; sister, Betty Armstrong of White River Jct.; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at the Thetford Center Community Center on Feb. 10 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Condolences to his family may be made in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.