Obituary of William E. Perley

William E. Perley, a 12 year resident of Darien, died at home on March 14. He was 50 and fought a courageous battle against Melanoma to the very end. Born on December 14, 1959 in at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York City, Mr. Perley was the son of the late Dr. Edward P. Perley and Elizabeth Therese (Walsh). He is survived by his wife Althea (Gardner) of 20 years, his son Harrison and daughter Althea Elizabeth IV. After being raised in Larchmont, NY, Mr. Perley graduated from Canterbury School, Class of 1978, New Milford, CT, where he captained the soccer, tennis and squash teams. Mr. Perley went on to study at Stonehill College where he competed on the tennis team, and graduated from Villanova University '82. Mr. Perley's business career began at Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette, he went on to Mosely Hallgarten, Estabrook & Weeden, Gruntal & Co. and Chapdelaine and Company, where he proudly worked as a Municipal Bond Broker for the last 20 years. He was a member of The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Wall Street Cares and the Seagate Road Association. Mr. Perley was a member of St. Thomas More R.C. Church in Darien. He was a proud and longstanding member of Westchester Country Club, Rye, NY. A great joy in Bill's life was coaching his daughter's youth soccer team and assisting on his son's Little League team. A great competitor, Mr. Perley will be remembered for his consistent smile, natural athleticism, unwavering friendships and bone-crushing hugs. He is also survived by his sister Rosemary Perley Kwauk of Rye, NY, his sister Susan Perley Kennedy and her husband Hank of Darien, CT, his brother Eddie and his wife Ellen Perley of Harrison, NY. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Althea Janke Gardner, of Upper Saddle River, NJ; 6 nephews, 5 nieces, and a multitude of in-laws, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is predeceased by his sister Elizabeth. Calling hours are 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. at Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien, CT on Wednesday, March 17, 2010. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Robert J. Post, Ph.D., on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 11a.m. at St. Thomas More 374 Middlesex Road, Darien, CT. Burial will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien, CT. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be sent to the Harrison and Althea E. Perley College Education Fund, c/o Lambden & Gardner, 14 Elm Place, Rye, NY, 10580. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820