Brian Hungerford Perlee
Brian H. Perlee, a craftsman and devoted family man, died on June 19, 2014, with his wife by his side. He was 63.
He “completed his life in the very same way he lived it – at peace, at the side of his beloved wife, Donna, and with a quiet sense of dignity, strength, and courage,” wrote his family in a tribute.
Mr. Perlee was born in Albany, on June 21, 1951, the son of Gordon and Marcia Perlee.
He graduated from Guilderland Central High School and earned his master’s degree in business administration from the state’s University at Albany.
He began his career with the New York State comptroller, and served for many years as special deputy comptroller for New York City, where he played an integral role in bringing the city out of bankruptcy, wrote his family.
He later served as director of the New York State Assembly Minority Ways and Means Committee, and worked for several years as the deputy commissioner of the state’s Department of Mental Health.
“Brian was blessed with an incredibly sharp and inquisitive mind and subtle sense of humor that he maintained until the very last,” his family wrote.
They described him as a gifted craftsman, free-building exact scale replicas of buildings, aircrafts, and boats.
He also took great pleasure in his vintage cars — a Porsche, MG, and Jaguar.
He found happiness and contentment, wrote his family, at “Highlands,” his family home in the Adirondacks, as well as at his Florida bayside home, and he enjoyed cruising with his wife and family.
“His patience knew no bounds,” wrote his family. “Above all else, Brian treasured his time with his wife, his children, grandchildren, and extended family – and they, in turn, cherished the time they were able to spend with him; it was a joy to be in his presence.”
Mr. Perlee is survived his wife, Donna (Barner) Perlee; his mother and father, Gordon and Marcia Perlee, of Altamont; his children, Christopher, of Albany, Daniel, and his wife, Melissa, of Los Angeles, California, and Jennifer, of Scotch Plains, New Jersey; his grandchildren, Max, Hazel, and Darren; his brothers, Gordon Perlee, and his wife, Erin, of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, David Perlee, and his wife, Kathleen, of Latham, and Jeffrey Perlee, of Altamont; his sisters, Lisa Puvogel, and her husband, Stephen, of Guilderland, and Suzanne Hale, and her husband, Kevin, of Altamont; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 27, at 4 p.m., at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Maple Avenue, Altamont. All are welcome to join.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1 Penny Lane, Latham, NY 12110.