Jerome 'Jerry' S. Perry, 85, of Grand Island, NY died on Sunday April 7, 2013 at N.F. Memorial Medical Center. Born in Buffalo, NY he was the son of the late Stephen and Clara (Jerszewski) Perry.

Jerry attended school in Buffalo, NY and graduated from the Buffalo Technical High School in 1946. He then served in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician Third Class from 1946 until he was honorably discharged in 1948. In 1953 he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from Springfield College in Springfield, MA. He continued his education at the University of Buffalo and was awarded a Master's Degree in Education and an Advance Degree in School Administration.

Jerome had a longtime fulfilling career in education with the Niagara Falls Board of Education that included coaching, teaching and administration. He coached the football team at the former Trott Vocational High School and the basketball team at Niagara Falls High School. He began his teaching career in the 1950's as a Driver Education and Physical Education instructor at various city schools where he met his future wife, Marie G. Longo. On August 27, 1960 they married with Papal blessings at St. Joseph Church in Niagara Falls, NY. Following their marriage he and his wife resided in the LaSalle section of Niagara Falls. In the early 1970's Jerry became an administrator and served as vice principal for various secondary schools in Niagara Falls. In 1978, they moved to Grand Island where they lived until the present time. At the time of his retirement in 1990, Jerry was vice principal of the former LaSalle Senior High School.

While living in Niagara Falls, Jerry was a member of St. John de LaSalle Parish where he served as a lector, was a member of their Holy Name Society and Scoutmaster of Cub Scout Pack 841. Jerry was also a Third Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus Council #247 in Niagara Falls and participated in the School Masters Bowling League. After moving to Grand Island in 1978 he became a member of St. Stephen's R.C. Church on Grand Island where he served as a Eucharistic Minister.

In addition to his wife of fifty two years, Jerome is survived by three children Stephen M. Perry, Michele M. Perry both of Niagara Falls, NY and Ann M. Perry (Gerald) Smith of Snyder, NY; two brothers Norman H. (Gizella) Perry of Ft. Erie, Ontario, Canada and Benedict 'Ben' (late Adele) Perry of Cheektowaga, NY; his special cousins Mary (Fiacco) (late Alan) Sattelberg, Fran (Fiacco) Louis DeLuca, Angelo (BaoHong) Fiacco, Nancy (Fiacco) Keith Powell and Charles (Rossana) Fiacco; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Charles T. (Rosalie) Longo of Lewiston, NY and several nieces, nephews and other cousins. Jerry was predeceased by two brothers Raymond (late Frances) Perry, Edward (late Florence) Perry and one sister Theresa (Richard of Cheektowaga, NY) Sliwinski.

There will be no prior visitation. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday April 13th at 10 a.m. in St. Stephen's R.C. Church, 2100 Baseline Road, Grand Island, NY with Rev. Daniel Fiebelkorn officiating, concluding with Military Honors. Entombment at the convenience of the family will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY. If desired memorial donations may be made to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Buffalo, 525 Washington Street, Buffalo NY 14203 or to UNYTS (Upstate New York Transplant Services, 110 Broadway, Buffalo, NY 14203. Arrangements by M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY 14304.