Stephen J. Perry

Stephen J Perry, 81, of Watertown, NY, passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at the Samaritan Keep Home after many months dealing with dementia.

Stephen was born in Mercy Hospital in Watertown on March 4, 1943, to Edward J and Mary- Evelyn Perry.  After a few years the family moved to Lyons Falls, NY where they resided until 1966.  In 1961 Stephen graduated from Lyons Falls High School -- and four years later, in 1965, he received a bachelor’s degree in American History from LeMoyne College in Syracuse NY.  His first teaching position was a school year (1965-1966) at Immaculate Heart Central, with such special cohorts as Tom LaDuke and the late Frank Coyne.  In September 1966, Stephen moved on to teach American History at General Brown Central School in Dexter, NY where he enjoyed a second set of cohorts, the late Alex Fowler, Gerry Hoard, and Steve Fisher.  In 1991 he retired from teaching and ever-after concentrated on driving his wife crazy.

During his retirement years Steve was overjoyed with several trips to Toronto or New York or Boston to see his beloved New York Yankees play. Good or bad, the important part was being there....That was so, also, when he was part of a group Mary Ann Larney put together to visit IRELAND in the first few years of the 20thC. -- memories of Steve and Helen Mullen sipping beers at DIRTY NELLIE’S -- what a pair! (No! He did not kiss the Blarney Stone....)  

Then came the twilight years...no more travels, except to a newly acquired camp right on the bank of the St. Lawrence River.  Visitors to the camp abounded including friends from teaching, family friends, relatives.... a former G.B. exchange student Maurizio Cerri from Italy (1966- 1967), ... AND after unexpectedly losing a special golden retriever named Toby to cancer, along came Duffy and Dooley -- golden retriever brothers who turn 13 this fall.  All seemed fine.... until those odd feelings, annoying actions, and unacceptable behaviors took charge....Life is sometimes full of unpleasant surprises and this was a doozie... 

Now Steve is truly at peace.  I have been told this by many of our friends but especially ONE FROM  Naples, Italy - Emma Salvati, a very special exchange student “daughter” who spent  August 1980 - July 1981 with us and our nephew  Aaron Michalski who had also joined our extremely strange household that summer....So now, though some memories are not good ones, The GOOD MEMORIES WILL OUTLAST THE BAD..... 

As I write this as an obituary for my husband, I am overwhelmed with phone calls, emails, texts, hugs, tears, smiles, memories, more tears ...and relief.  I share this with you this way because I have always loved living here in Watertown, Clayton, Town of Brownville, the Village of Brownville, outside the village of Brownville, and for the last nearly 30 years, here by the park.

Steve had three brothers, Thomas E. (predeceased in 2015.); Robert T. (Bob & Marie, Grass Valley Ca.), and John T. & Jutta, (Konz, Germany) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Steve is survived by his wife of 54 years, Madelyn (Lyn) Smith Perry.  They were married in Niagara Falls, NY on June 27th, 1970. 

There will be no funeral at this time because there will be a joint one when the time is appropriate. However, there will be calling hours, and they will be held at the Johnson Funeral Home, Dexter on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 4pm-7pm.

A graveside service will be held on June 25, 2025 at 11 a.m. in Brownville Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left at www.dexterfuneralhome.com

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