Richard Jaffe Perlman

WORCESTER - Richard Jaffe Perlman, dedicated Worcester Funeral Director, died March 15, 2025 at Jewish Healthcare Center in Worcester.

In 1939, Richard Jaffe Perlman, son of George and Sadie (Jaffe) Perlman, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts. Shortly thereafter, Richy and his family moved to Worcester, and his father opened Perlman Funeral Home. For over 60 years, Richy worked tirelessly as a funeral director, serving the Jewish community and embodying his family’s guiding principle, “Consideration for the living, dedicated to service.” He always made sure that every family was afforded funeral arrangements, ritualistic preparations, a casket, and an appropriate burial no matter how difficult their circumstances. Although Perlman Funeral Home was sold to a national company in the mid-1990s, Richy continued providing funeral services in Worcester to those whose loved ones still recognized his trusting presence and were familiar with his knowledge acquired from years of training. Ultimately, Richy partnered with Rick Mansfield of Miles Funeral Home and continued to serve the Worcester Jewish community, alongside Bruce Wahle, until shortly before his death. On January 25, 2025, Richy received the key to the city from Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty, alongside Congressman Jim McGovern and former President of the Massachusetts Senate Harriette L. Chandler for his service to the Worcester Jewish community.

Richy was fortunate to have lived a full life with a lot of humor. As a boy, he enjoyed playing sports and attending Camp Bauercrest in Amesbury, Massachusetts. He attended South High in Worcester and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. While in high school, he was president of a Jewish fraternity, Mu Sigma, and in college, he was a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi. He served in active duty and the reserves for the U.S. Army. He loved cheering for UMass and Boston sports teams, especially the Celtics.

Richy sustained lifelong friendships in the Worcester community and beyond. In October of 2024, Richy lost the love of his life, Marilyn (Rozefsky) Perlman after 60 years of marriage. In her last days, Richy often said to Marilyn, “Save me a front row seat in Heaven.” He deeply mourned her death and missed their life-long connection, their many laughs, and their supportive friendship. They had a very full life together and enjoyed traveling, the arts, spending time with family and friends, and celebrating holidays together.

Richy is remembered as a dedicated husband, loving father, doting grandfather, brother, and uncle. He is survived by his two children, Caroline Braun Perlman Cahn (David Lawrence) of Baltimore, Maryland, and Evan Harry Perlman (Catherine Caroline Crow) of Arlington, Virginia. Richy leaves behind four wonderful grandchildren: Jessica Perlman Cahn of Baltimore, Sarah Perlman Cahn of Washington, D.C., and George Bennett and Harry Morris Perlman of Arlington. He is also survived by his brothers, Raymond Perlman (Ruth Ann) of Phoenix, Arizona and Robert Perlman (Joan) of Worcester and his sister-in-law Lois Rozefsky Berg of Worcester. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, his brother-in-law, Burton Franklin Berg, and his many dear German Shepherds and Bassett Hounds. He will be deeply missed by his Bassett Hound, Sonata, who now resides in Baltimore.

The family would like to thank the staff at Jewish Healthcare Center (JHC) and JHC Hospice for their unwavering kindness and care of Richy. The family would also like to thank Anne Laverty for her care and compassion toward both Richy and Marilyn in their final years.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester. Burial will be at B'Nai Brith Cemetery. Gifts in memory of Richy may be made to Jewish Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury Street, Worcester 01609, and Yeshiva Achei Tmimim, 22 Newton Avenue, Worcester 01602. Memorial observances will be announced following the service.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Miles Funeral Home in Holden. To view Richy's online tribute or leave a message for the family, please visit www.milesfuneralhome.com