V ern L. Perkins of Warren, began his working career as a timber estimator for the International Paper Co. and as a sawmill owner in Warren and Fayston. Ever the entrepreneur, he expanded his lumber business interests to Duxbury as a partner with Mr. Boyce, a lumberman and partner in the Boyce and Hatch Funeral Home and Cabinetmakers in Waterbury. In the early 1900’s, seeing where the lumber business was headed, Vern decided to trade in his lumber career for funeral service, founding V.L. Perkins Co. Furniture Store and Funeral Service on South Main Street in Waterbury in 1907.

Charles Parker of Montgomery Center, also in the lumber trade originally, met Vern, but more importantly Vern’s daughter, Norma. They were wed in 1920 and Charles became an employee of the family business. In 1931, the company was incorporated in the state of Vermont. Following the death of Vern, Charles soon became the owner of the company and made his mark as an astute businessman, caring undertaker and leader within the community of Waterbury. The V.L. Perkins Co. Furniture Store and the Perkins-Parker Funeral Chapel has served the entire Mad River Valley, Duxbury, Waterbury, Bolton and Stowe areas since its founding in 1907.

Since 1980, the business has been managed and owned by great-grandson Chris Palermo. Tough decisions have been faced with several severe recessions and the ever-changing retail climate. Since the mid-1960’s, with the interstate highway system slicing through the town of Waterbury, the furniture/retail business climate has been in decline with the Burlington and Montpelier markets now just minutes away. In 1991, Chris made the decision to close the furniture store and concentrate solely on the funeral business as well as a newly-acquired granite memorial company.

Today, the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and V.L. Perkins Co. Cemetery Memorials has dedicated itself with pride to the continued goal of excellent service that has been sustained for the past 100 years, over four generations. As a full-service funeral home and monument company, we provide families our unending devotion at their most tender time of need. We are very proud of our profession and the trust that families have placed upon us. Chris Palermo, director/owner and John Woodruff, director and valued employee, are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to assist families in planning and facilitating services locally or worldwide.