Sam Perry, who shared world record with Bob Hayes,
dies at 55
AP
21 July 2000 – Southport, Connecticut - Sam Perry, who shared the world record in the 60-yard (55-meter) dash with Bob Hayes, died after a lengthy illness. He was 55.
Perry, an attorney and former city councilman in Passaic, New Jersey, died Tuesday night.
In 1965, Perry, running for Fordham University, was clocked in 5.9 seconds at the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden, tying the world record Hayes set the year before.
Perry graduated from Fordham and Columbia University Law School.
He served as a councilman in his native Passaic for four years before moving to Connecticut where he practised law.
"When you look at his name on our record board, it is just incredible,'' said Tom Dewey, Fordham's track coach since 1980.
"These kids don't know about Sam till we show them the pictures. His performances were tremendous. He still holds school records and we have kids who have run fast, but I don't know if his records will ever be broken.''
Perry is survived by his wife, Beverly, two daughters and a son.
Funeral services will be Saturday morning at the Union Baptist Church in Passaic.