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- from "The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle". 3 Jan 1958 (newspapers.com(
Oliver Perkins III, the four-year-old leukemia victim who celebrated two Christmases last month, died at 6:35 last night in Strong Memorial. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Perkins Jr. of 143 Melville St. was taken to the hospital yesterday afternoon by the family physician when it appeared the child was near death. The blond-haired youngster complained of severe earaches last July 31 - his fourth birthday - and was taken to Genesee Hospital where it was learned he was suffering from the incurable blood disease Doctors told his parents that the child was doomed. In order to unsure a Christmas celebration for their son, Mr. and Mrs. Perkins held the holiday on Dec. 1. All presents were for Oliver and he even picked out the Christmas tree himself - the biggest one he could find. The story about Oliver appeared in The Democrat and Chronicle and are residents helped his parents make his last day happy ones. Members of the Northeast Kiwanis Club presented Oliver with a complete cowboy outfit and arranged for him to ride a pony anytime he wished - a desire he expressed at this first Christmas Celebration. He was showered with nearly 1,000 Christmas cards and took great pleasure in opening every one himself, according to his parents. Some anonymous donors sent him gifts. Christmas came again to Oliver on its regular date. He was given more toys, a big holiday dinner and all the love his parents could lavish on him. Up to the time of his death, much of the youngster's time was spent in bed as he tired quickly. He was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital several times a week for radiation treatments and blood transfusions in addition to treatment at home by the family's physician. Beside his parents, Oliver is survived by two brothers, Richard, 17, and Keith, three months; his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Della Rings; his paternal grandparents, Mrs. and Mrs. Oliver Perkins Sr., a great-grandmother and several aunts and uncles. Friends may call at the Holla-Leary Funeral Home, 1256 Mr. Hope Ave. after 3 p.m. tomorrow and thereafter from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. A service will be held at the funeral home Monday at 2:30 p.m. Burial well be in Mr. Hope Cemetery.
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1954 - 1958 (4 years)