Meredith Perkins, two-time Downey mayor, dies at 84

DOWNEY – Meredith Perkins, a former two-time mayor of Downey, died Tuesday after battling recent health struggles.

Perkins served on the City Council from 1998 to 2006, representing District 2.

He was a fierce advocate of Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center and helped oversee renovation of the Rio Hondo Event Center.

He was also instrumental in bringing a skate park to Downey, which was named in his honor.

In a 2011 interview, Perkins said the skate park was important to him because “it’s a place for young people to get together and enjoy the outdoors. The skate park is a great place to congregate and exchange ideas. I think it’s a great outlet.”

Perkins was 84.

“We are saddened to have lost another great Downey servant,” Mayor Claudia M. Frometa said in a statement. “Former Mayor Meredith Perkins was dearly loved and admired for his dedication to our city and his fierce advocacy for all that is good and honorable. His legacy of service to our city will always be remembered.

“He advocated for Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center because he believed in giving people the medical treatment they deserved. Meredith loved all things Downey and was present everywhere he could up until his health would not allow him. I was fortunate to have known him and our city is better because of his service and leadership. May He Rest In Peace.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the Perkins family during their time of loss. He will be sorely missed.”

Perkins was heavily involved in the Downey community even after he left the City Council in 2006.

He was a past president of the Downey Optimist Club, a board member with the Downey YMCA, and also supported The Arc.

Mario A. Guerra, who replaced Perkins on the City Council in 2006, called the diminutive Perkins “the biggest man I’ve ever known.”

“He called himself ‘the little guy’ to his friends but he had the biggest heart of anyone I knew,” Guerra said. “He was a deeply faithful man that believed in the premise that we should always treat each other with respect and kindness. He lived his life that way and was an example to others.

“Our city has so much to be grateful to him for. During his Mayoral term he finished the Rio Hondo Golf Course, and he liked to say, on time and under budget. He loved the YMCA and The Arc and was generous with his time and treasures for both. He loved our youth and was the driving force in our city building the skate park. I was honored to be mayor when we named the park after him.

“Downey is a better community because of him. I am a better person because of him. He touched so many and his presence will always be felt. Thank you Mr. Mayor for being a friend and leader to so many. I love you sir and will miss you very much.”

Former Downey mayor Fernando Vasquez also remembered Perkins.

“His love for Downey was contagious,” Vasquez said. “I still remember when he drove me around Downey sharing his vision and challenging me to improve upon it. His legacy has been cemented into Downey’s history and he will be missed.”

Another former mayor, Keith McCarthy, said he had “love, respect and appreciation” for Perkins.

“We became good friends over the years,” McCarthy said. “I was always impressed by Meredith’s humility, diligence and kindness in all areas of life. Today is a sad day.”