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Hugh Perry

September 5, 2006

Hugh Henry Perry, known affectionately as Brownie, passed away peacefully in the Cariboo Memorial Hospital Sept. 5, 2006.

Brownie was born Dec. 14, 1921 in Quesnel to Amy and Hugh Perry.

He had two sisters and five brothers.

Brownie enjoyed hunting cougar with his father and staying out overnight many times at trappers' cabins in bitterly cold weather.

In the early 1940s he horse logged in Prince George with brothers Stan and Calvin.

Later he drove the same team of horses from Prince George to Durrell's Ranch at the Slee Place near Riske Creek.

Brownie moved around, working on many ranches in the Chilcotin, the River Ranch, Wineglass Ranch, Cotton Ranch, Bell Ranch and the Gang Ranch.

He also fed cattle in the winter at back meadows for the Moon Ranch.

Brownie married Pauline Anderson in 1948. They had six children, Rene, Lee, Deedee, Nola, Bryce, and Brad.

They also raised a nephew, Greg.

The family called Riske Creek home for a while. Brownie contracted fencing and building cabins for the forestry in Quesnel, Helena Lake, Alexis Creek, Williams Lake, Meldrum Creek and Riske Creek. He and son Bryce built the odd shaped house on Rafferty Hill for Lee.

The last building Brownie built was Pauline's chicken house in 2002, with logs salvaged from a barn on Moon's Ranch.

In 1952 they moved to Quesnel and he logged for Gene Johnson.

Another move in 1969, when they bought the McTaggart Meadow from Jenny Warde, and raised a few cows.

They lived at Cotton Meadow, Pre-emption Meadow and Jenny Meadow until they leased Silver Birch Ranch on the Fraser River Road.

In 1988 Brownie was having hip problems so they leased their cows to Roy and Gwen Mulvahill and later sold them the herd.

They moved to Meldrum Creek in 1989, and lived in Pat Davey's place and later bought the place.

Three weeks after the move Brownie had a hip replacement.

The operation wasn't a success and put him on crutches for three and a half years until they operated again with better luck.

But nothing stopped Brownie, while on crutches he dug their basement with the help of Pauline hauling the dirt away.

No matter what the job was they worked together.

In 1988 Brownie's book of poems Reflections of a Rambler was published.

Over the years in his spare time Brownie learned to braid using horsehair, rawhide and leather.

He created many beautiful head stalls, reins, quirts, and his miniature saddles were exquisite.

Many articles can be seen in the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin.

He continued to write his Reflections of a Rambler style poetry which gives an insight into the life of a swamp meadow rancher and cowboy.

Brownie did light chores at their home in Meldrum Creek where Pauline still lives, until July when his health started to fail.

He passed away on September 5, 2006.

Brownie was predeceased by his parents Amy and Hugh Perry; brothers Stan, Calvin, and Bobby; and sisters Sylvia and Phyllis.

He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Pauline of 58 years, brothers Bill and Gordon (Marliss) his children and grandchildren and his many friends in the Cariboo-Chilcotin.




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