MADISON HEIGHTS, MICHIGAN -- Perry Arthur Mallette was born on Christmas Eve 1931 at the home of his maternal grandparents in Clymer, Pennsylvania. After his baptism one month later, Perry traveled with his mother to their home in Detroit. Perry was raised in Detroit and Redford Township, graduating from Redford Union High School in 1950.
Later that year he set out with a friend to seek his fortune in California. Not finding the streets paved with gold, nor finding suitable employment, Perry enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. After basic training in San Diego, he was sent to Korea. On July 6, 1952 Perry's platoon attempted to take a strategic hill under intense fire. Perry was severely wounded but continued to assault the enemy until he was forced to evacuate. Because of his courage, fighting spirit, and life-threatening wounds, Perry was awarded the Navy Cross and a Purple Heart. Perry was honorably discharged in 1954, having achieved the rank of sergeant.
Perry returned to Detroit to attend Wayne State University where he earned a degree in Secondary Education (on the GI Bill). While at Wayne State, Perry joined the Men's Glee Club and toured Europe in the summer of 1957, performing in numerous cities and on U.S. Military bases in England, Ireland, and Germany.
Perry began his teaching career in 1958, working for Utica Community Schools, Lafayette Clinic, and the Macomb Intermediate District before retiring in 1994.
Perry returned to Wayne State in the 1960's to earn a degree in Special Education and again in the 1970's to study theater direction.
In December 1957 Perry married Shirley Fetters who was also a Wayne State student. Together they raised four daughters. They divorced in 1974.
Twenty years later Perry married Claudia (Habalewsky) Reid and that same year he began his retirement. The couple lived in Detroit, St. Helen, Hamtramck and, in recent years, Madison Heights, Michigan.
In 1963 the acting bug bit Perry and he began to perform in community theater productions with many theater groups including Utica Players, Playhouse Clinton of Mount Clemens, Rochester Players, and Avon Players. He also performed at the Henry Ford Museum Theater, the Ann Arbor Civic Theater, the Bonstelle and at the University of Detroit Mercy.
During the summers of 1965 and 1966 Perry performed professionally in five productions at the Barn Theater in Augusta, Michigan.
In the mid 60's Perry began to direct as well as act.
In 1980 Perry purchased a 3 story Victorian home on Trumbull Avenue in Detroit. This home included an attached carriage house which he renovated. Perry built a stage and two of his friends installed restrooms in the carriage house. It took four years of hard labor and in 1984 the carriage house became the Trumbull Theater. Between 1984 and 1993 Perry produced, directed, and acted in more than 20 shows.
Also, during the 1980's Perry appeared in 3 films: "Going Back" with Bruce Campbell,
"Thou Shalt Not Kill…Except" with Sam Raimi and "Broken Hearts and Noses" with Louise Lasser.
Perry sold the Trumbull Avenue property in 1993 and retired from theater work.
But the theater was still in his blood, so in 1999 Perry, Claudia, and Dr. David McSwain, M.D., formed a theater group called "Dr. David's Traveling Medicine Show." Between 1999 and 2001 this group rented the former Trumbull Theater and presented 5 wonderful shows which included the Trumbull Christmas classic "My Three Angels" (twice).
Dr. McSwain passed away unexpectedly in 2001, putting an end to this theater group. Perry's last theatre appearance was in the play “Race” at University of Detroit Mercy’s Theatre Company in the fall of 2001.
Perry was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2004. He fought valiantly against the disease until his passing on June 1.
He will be deeply missed by family and friends.
Perry is survived by his devoted wife and caregiver, Claudia Mallette, by his daughters: Karla Mallette, Sara Meingast (Herbert), Tia Mallette (Carl Spitzer), Nina Mallette; his grandchildren: Evangeline Mallette, Alex Meingast, Claire Meingast, Theo Meingast, Ramona Blanco and Veronica Blanco.
He also is survived by Claudia's children: Julian Reid, Jessica Felts (Robert), Bronwyn Polachowski (Ryan), and Claudia’s grandchildren: Aurora Reid, Katherine Reuther (Kyle), Robert Felts Jr., Timothy Felts, and Elliana Polachowski.
Other survivors include a nephew Ian Tetz, brother-in-law Martin Habalewsky (Ruth), as well as nephews Paul Habalewsky (Erin) and Justin Habalewsky.
Perry was pre-deceased by his father A. Orville Mallette, his mother Ann Lawrence, his step-father Chester Lawrence, his brother Gerald Mallette, his sister Judith Tetz, and his infant daughter Shawn Mallette.
Viewing will be at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 581 E. Fourteen Mile Road, Clawson, Michigan at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 5 prior to Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m.
A procession will follow to Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield, Michigan for internment.
Family and friends are welcome to gather at the Mallette home in Madison Heights immediately afterwards.
Arrangements by Edward Swanson and Son Funeral Home, Madison Heights, Michigan.
