James Allen Perine of Wallkill, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 3, 2024, at home. He was 81.
The son of the late Fred S. and Una M. Cahill Perine, he was born September 12, 1942 in Rockville Centre, NY.
James (Jim) was an English teacher at Stephen A. Halsey Jr. High 157, Rego Park, Queens.
Survivors include his wife Adrienne Gelfand-Perine; daughters Jessica Powers and husband Brandon and Amanda Wetzstein; stepsons Joshua Gelfand and wife Eliza and Matthew Gelfand and wife Desiree; grandchildren Brianna Powers, Juliet Powers, Phoebe Gelfand, Evan Gelfand; Brother Joseph Perine and wife Judith; sisters Patricia Kahara and husband Calvin and Donna Spinella and husband Jeff Burns
And Brother-in-law Vito Amella
Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his son Shawn Perine and sister Barbara Amella.
Jim was many things to many people: husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, brother, and son. For 37 years, he was a teacher in Queens – his true calling. More than what he did as a teacher, was how he did it: with a deep caring for his students, a sensitivity to their many ethnic, racial, and religious differences, and a commitment, in his words to the idea that “productive coexistence is a possibility, and educations can make it a reality.” It is also through teaching that he met his beloved wife Adrienne, a drama teacher who shared his passion for teaching.
In his retirement, Jim actively engaged in what had been a longstanding hobby, antiquing. He and Adrienne spent countless hours painstakingly turning some people’s “junk” into others’ treasures. Their amazing personal collections reflect their keenly artistic and delightfully quirky dedication to preserving the past.
Though never one to call attention to himself, Jim played a role in bringing some valuable additions to his community. Together with Adrienne, he brought the Books Alive! program to the Wallkill Library to introduce children to both drama and literature. They also helped birth Vision of Wallkill (VOW), which has sponsored many events to bring the community together, including the creation of the Wallkill River Walk. Jim also became involved behind the scenes in Democratic political work, most notably in support of Adrienne’s campaign for Town Council.
Jim held deep convictions about equality, justice, and human rights. He idolized Pres. Franklin Roosevelt whose concept of a compassionate democracy resonated strongly with him. Jim saw a powerful link between this philosophy and what he could do as a teacher. In Jim’s own words, “... quality education is the cornerstone of a moral and orderly society.”
Jim Perine was testament to the old saw that “Still waters run deep,” i.e., much more than met the eye. He will leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all who knew him.
Memorial visitation will be Thursday, May 9, 2024, 11am-1pm, at Millspaugh Funeral Home, 22 Bank St., Walden.
Memories and stories of James will be shared at 12pm. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories during this time.
Cremation will take place privately.
The family kindly requests, in lieu of flowers, that memorial contributions be made to Shriner’s Childrens Hospital, Attn: Shriners Children's PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN.
Arrangements were made by Millspaugh Funeral Directors.