Perry Sydney Smith, 62, died Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at Petaluma Valley Hospital from complications after a stroke.  Perry was born July 2, 1953 in Petaluma, CA.  He was adopted and spent his childhood days on a dairy ranch of 200 plus Jersey cows in Bloomfield.  His first two years of school were at the two room school house in Bloomfield, followed by Two Rock Elementary School to Petaluma High School graduating in 1971.  

Perry did not love the cows like his Father.  His interest was the Fire Department. He began his career as a sleeper with the Cotait Fire Department in 1971.  In 1971, he was employed by Empire Ambulance and later moved to Marin County to work for United Ambulance.  In 1973 he went to work for Cadles Ambulance because he felt they were progressive in moving forward.  He stayed until 1980.  In November, 1977, Perry along with a few other individuals were approved as the first paramedics in Sonoma County.  Perry joined the Guerneville, now Russian River Fire Department as a paramedic in 1980.  During this time he was a volunteer for the sheriffs helicopter as a paramedic.  

He became an Engineer in 1986, and later moved to Shift Captain in 1990.  During his service with the RRFD he was instrumental in the development of the paramedic program, the EMT program and also acted as training officer for the department. He developed a recruit training academy with the goal of providing volunteers with crucial training once they entered the fire service.  He also was a instructor for County Services for the EMT program.  Perry retired from RRFD the last day of 1999.  

After retiring he orchestrated a Fire Brigade at the Vallejo Kaiser Hospital. In 1990 Perry met Glenda at the Rio Nido Lodge at a dance.  They were like High School sweethearts who made each other laugh.  They married in June of 1991.  Perry immediately had a family of three girls and a cat in his life too.  They all enjoyed camping, boating, fire musters, and traveling.  

Perry lived his life in Sonoma County except for three years when Glenda and him lived on the Big Island of Hawaii in Kona.  Perry is survived by his wife Glenda Smith; his stepdaughter Jennifer Kobler (Brian Kobler); granddaughter Riley and grandson Charlie; stepdaughter, Julie Rosen (Michael Rosen); granddaughter Mia; stepdaughter Danielle Hanson (Trent Hanson); grandson Arden; sister Sandy Caster (Skip Caster); and all their children.  

He also loved to BBQ, cook, read history books, listen to scanners, was a ham radio guy, he even loved to sing.  He loved to spend time with friends over a cocktail or two telling jokes and laughing.  There will be a celebration of his life on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at the Bloomfield Cemetery at 11:00 am.  Followed with food, drink, and sharing stories at Stormys from noon to three.  Perry liked flowers, but would rather like you to make a donation to your local fire department in his honor.