Elisha Perkins "Perk" Gould Jr.

Marblehead- Elisha Perkins “Perk” Gould, Jr. of Marblehead, MA passed away on August 30, 2026. Born on May 1, 1928 to Cornelia and Elisha Gould, Perk was a lifelong Marbleheader. Perk attended Marblehead schools and graduated from Marblehead High School in 1946. He joined the US Army that fall and spent much of his time in Korea in 1947. Following his time in the service, he attended the University of Maine (Orono) on the G. I. Bill. He graduated in 1953 with a degree in civil engineering and was a proud member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Perk spent the vast majority of his career with the Army Corps of Engineers in Waltham, MA. His focus was on bridge and dam safety.

In May 1953, Perk married Sally Carter in Swampscott, MA. After a few years in Maine, they settled in Marblehead where they raised two sons, Elisha (Terry) and William (Carter). He enjoyed many sports and other activities with the family. He was a member of the Corinthian Yacht Club and a frequent sailor. He greatly enjoyed his time around the ocean. Perk was also an avid bridge player and part of many groups in the community. In his later years, Perk enjoyed travelling with Sally and friends, including several trips to Europe.

Much of the focus of Perk’s life was on his family. In addition to his sons, he had five grandchildren: Eliis (Caitlin) of Santa Monica, CA, Hilary of Boston, MA, Claire of Philadelphia, PA, and William (Emily) and George of Chicago, IL. Perk had three great grandchildren, Quinn and Natalie of Santa Monica, CA, and William Carter of Chicago, IL. Perk was predeceased by his wife Sally, his son William Carter, and his sister Janet Ingraham. Services and burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Elisha P. Gould to support the Gould Family Fund for Prostate Cancer Research: Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via dana-farber.org/gift. For more information or online guestbook, please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.