Mark Perrin, a painter who lived in Coupeville for 10 years, died Sept. 26, 2002, in Florida ; he was 63. Perrin’s paintings sold nation wide and celebrated the images of the South Seas.

“Perrin was a magnetic, Hemingway-esque figure,” remembers Ed Nordin, “and was always friendly and kind, welcoming people of all ages and walks of life to his studio to view his paintings and hear his stories of life on the southern seas.”

Traveling companion Jessica Delmonico remembers his uncanny ability “to immediately befriend people on airplane flights, bars, parties, even on the streets.”

“For over 30 years, we shared adventures and misadventures,” recalls Donald Yakovic. “They are all in his paintings.”

“He painted colorful birds flourishing against sunny skies,” says Nordin, “tropical fish swimming above red coral, with sailing ships and mermaids. He painted in a whimsical child-like manner like his inspiration, the French painter Henry Rousseau, tempered by intelligence and sophistication.”

Perrin is survived by his son, Brian; sisters, Susan and Peggy; brothers John and Jason and grandson Hudson Finn.