The death of long-time Hollister businessman Perry E. Bishop at
age 75 on Jan. 9 stirred memories among many of his friends.
The death of long-time Hollister businessman Perry E. Bishop at age 75 on Jan. 9 stirred memories among many of his friends.
Gene O’Neill, who was active with Bishop in the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, recalled, “Perry was a quiet man, but he took on many of the duties no one else wanted and did them well.
“He had a sly sense of humor, too. He invited a number of the directors to his house one evening to discuss some project or other. When the discussion was over he unveiled a slot machine he had and invited us to play it. I guess I can tell that now. We were friends for a long time and we were always able to have a laugh together.”
Bishop came to Hollister in 1946 after military service following World War II. He was past president of the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and the Hollister Exchange Club. He was also a member of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Masonic Lodge 211, the American Legion, Scottish Rite, the Shriners and Sons In Retirement.
“You couldn’t have had a better boss or friend than Perry,” said former San Benito County Supervisor Rita Bowling, who worked for Bishop for 10 years in the insurance business. “He was considerate of everyone, including his employees – one of a kind. I’m going to miss him.”
Leonard Poletti met Bishop soon after he arrived in the community.
“We were both in the National Guard – that must have been 1948 or ’49 – and we went to summer camp together,” Poletti recalled. “Later, when I got out of the Navy I did business with him from time to time at Bishop Motors, where he was parts manager. We were also both members of the Exchange Club and I have many happy memories of that association. Perry was always congenial and was very proud of his kids’ accomplishments.”
Dick Lusink, who bought Bishop’s insurance agency in 1975, remembers him as a man who took a troubled insurance business and turned it into a success.
“Perry was a pipe-smoking, meditative man, not the kind generally associated with the insurance field,” Lusink said. “He left the family’s car business when he acquired the agency, which was in a distressed condition, and brought it around through hard work; he was always conscientious. I recall that he was a family-oriented man.”
County Clerk John Hodges remembers Bishop from his Scouting activities as well as his long-time membership in the Hollister Exchange Club.
“Perry gave of himself,” Hodges said. “He came from one of the largest cities in the United States (Chicago) but he loved his adopted community and served it well. For a long time he was treasurer of the Boy Scout troop that the club sponsors.”
Bishop is survived by his wife, Lanette; their sons and their wives, Paul and Debra Sue Bishop of Ridgecrest, Phillip and Shawna Bishop of Sacramento and Peter and Helen Bishop of Independence, Mo. His brothers Michael, Eugene and Francis “Junior” Bishop, all of Hollister, also survive, as do four grandchildren.
Funeral services were scheduled today (Tuesday) at 1 p.m. at Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home, with the Rev. Bob Hammond and the Masonic Lodge officiating. Interment was to follow at IOOF Cemetery with a contingent from VFW Post 9242 of Hollister rendering military rites. Friends and family were to gather at Paines’ Restaurant for a reception after that.
“The outpouring of condolences from many of his friends has meant so much to the family, to know how much they appreciated him,” Lanette Bishop said. “Perry and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary on July 7, and I can tell you that he was a person to be appreciated.”
