ALTAMONT — Gordon E. Perlee Jr., proprietor of Bradt’s Market and founder, with his wife, of Hungerford Market, a village gathering place, died at his home in Altamont on Christmas Eve. He was 91.

“Bud’s life was marked by hard work, gentle good humor and, above all, love for his beloved wife and family,” his family wrote in a tribute.

Mr. Perlee, known throughout his life as “Bud,” was born in Albany, the son of Gordon E. Perlee Sr. and Marion Bradt Perlee. His parents died before him, as did his sisters, Majorie Perlee Hoose and Marion Perlee Camp, both of Guilderland.

He was raised in McKownville and attended Albany and Guilderland schools and the Altamont High School. At age 18, he entered the family business, Bradt’s Market, and became proprietor at the age of 26.

He met his future wife, Marcia Hungerford of Altamont, on the first day of school in the seventh grade at Altamont. They married in October 1948 and together they shared 68 years of happiness and laughs, until her death in 2017. Together, they raised six children.

In the 1950s and ’60s, the Perlees made their home on Helderberg Avenue in Altamont in the house where Mrs. Perlee grew up. Later they moved their family to Parkwood Street in McKownville to the home where Mr. Perlee had grown up.

After retiring to Florida in the early 1980s, the Perlee’s “re-retired” 10 years later, returning to Altamont to be closer to family.

“A man of quiet, but deep faith, Mr. Perlee was a long-time member of McKownville Methodist Church and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Altamont,” his family wrote. He and his wife were active in the community and both were long-time volunteers at the Guilderland Food Pantry.

Mr. and Mrs. Perlee were the original creators and operators of the Hungerford Market in Altamont, which originally operated from the building at the corner of Main Street and Maple Ave where Mrs. Perlee’s grandfather operated a store some 75 years prior. The couple finally retired for good in 2000.

“Bud’s backyard pool on Parkwood Street and, in later years, his large front porch on Maple Avenue were locally renowned as centers of friendly hospitality,” the tribute said. “He especially enjoyed time at his family homes in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks and at Manasota Beach on Florida’s west coast where, well into his 80s, he kept busy with a paint brush in one hand and a screwdriver in the other.

“In his latest years, his youngest daughter and her family provided him loving care and a home on the hill above Altamont where, he passed, in his bed, as he had wished.”

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Gordon E. Perlee Jr. is survived by five of his six children: Gordon Perlee III and his wife, Erin, of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; David Perlee and his wife, Kathy, of Englewood, Florida; Lisa Puvogel and her husband, Stephen, of Valatie; Jeff Perlee of Altamont; and Suzanne Hale and her husband, Kevin, also of Altamont.

His son, Brian, died before him, as did his parents, Gordon E. Perlee Sr. and Marion Bradt Perlee, and his sisters, Majorie Perlee Hoose and Marion Perlee Camp

He is also survived by his daughter-in law, Donna Perlee; by 11 great-grandchildren and 19 grandchildren: Christopher Perlee of Albany; Daniel Perlee and his wife, Melissa, of Pasadena, California; Jennifer Hannah and her husband, Muhammed, of Scotch Plains, New Jersey; Brendan Perlee and his wife, Marissa, of Morristown, New Jersey; Caralyn Perlee and her fiancé, Jafar, of Amman, Jordan; Thomas Perlee of Cordoba, Argentina; Madalyn Perlee of Albany; Meghan Lynch and her husband, Michael, of Buffalo; Ryan Puvogel and his wife, Melissa, of Bel Air, Maryland; Stephen Puvogel and his wife, Erinne, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Justin Puvogel and his wife, Fannie, of Shenzhen, China; Kieran Puvogel of Guilderland; Emily, Jack, and Ben Hale of Altamont; and Eliott, Evan, Dakari and Myles Perlee, all of Altamont.

A memorial service for all friends and family will be held on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 140 Maple Ave. in Altamont.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Guilderland Food Pantry, 4 Charles Park Guilderland, NY 12084.