Albert Jay Perry

Albert Jay (“Tony” / “Al”) Perry, dedicated husband and father, joined his wife, Jeannie, in her heavenly home with Jesus on May 29, 2024. He was born in the community of Sidney in Wayne County, West Virginia on November 14, 1935, to Lois and Ailey Perry. He graduated from Central High School in Columbus, Ohio and enlisted in the Air Force in 1954. He met Jeannie, his beautiful wife of 65 years, in Columbus, Ohio after being introduced by her brother Buddy. They were married in 1956 and began their adventure during Tony’s eight years of service in the Air Force. Tony began his service at Edwards Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. While there, he marched in the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Tony was then assigned to Nouasseur Air Base in Casablanca, Morocco in 1958 where their first child, Theresa Ann, was born. Their first of five sons, Michael, soon followed in 1959. The young family traveled back across the Atlantic in 1960 to Mississippi as Tony continued in the Air Force as a Staff Sergeant, and then to Maine in the nick of time to have their third child, Steven, born in Bangor. The final move with the Air Force was back to Columbus, Ohio. There, they purchased their first home on Fairholme Road. They were blessed with three additional children: Craig (1961), Tony (1963), and Joey (1965), all born in Columbus, Ohio.

In May of 1966, their adventures continued as they moved their family to Winter Park, Florida to take a job with Martin Marietta where Tony worked as an electrical engineer during the heady times of the Gemini and Apollo space programs. In Florida, the family discovered the beach and for many years, New Smyrna Beach was their six children’s playground on Sunday after attending Mass at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, where Tony and Jeannie were founding members. Fond memories were made from those beach trips as their family drove to the beach listening to Tony and Jeannie sing songs together along the way.

As busy as Tony was working to support a family of eight, he loved working in the yard with Jeannie and their yard showed it. They often walked the yard in the early evening, admiring the growth of the many plants and making plans for the next time they worked in the yard. Tony and Jeannie were central to the young community development in Eastbrook, the neighborhood where they raised their family and helped develop the community. They would often sit out in the driveway after dinner, as many families did, and talk with neighbors. Being an extrovert, Tony very much enjoyed this interaction. Eventually, he and Jeannie would be part of a group of neighbors who spearheaded the Eastbrook pool being built and soon thereafter, the Eastbrook tennis courts and basketball courts next to Carter Field and the pool. These additions not only became the focal point for their neighborhood to gather but became an integral part of their children’s fondest childhood memories. They afforded many opportunities for their children and neighborhood children to participate in organized events such as an AAU swim team who competed in swim meets often hosted at the Eastbrook pool, swimming lessons, and a favorite, nighttime pool parties.

As his children grew older, Tony became very involved in the many sports they played, tennis, baseball, swimming, wrestling, football, and fishing. He was the voice of the Lake Howell Silver Hawks football team, with many still remembering him announcing the games, “first and ten and the Hawks are on the move” while his sons Mike and Steve, played for the team. Weekends consisted of Jeannie and Tony attending tennis matches, swimming meets, and high school wrestling and football games, in support of their children. Tony was known to be a great griller of barbeque chicken and he and Jeannie were a well-oiled team as Jeannie prepped and Tony grilled. They loved cooking for their family as well as their children’s friends and teammates.

Tony demonstrated the value of education to his children as he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree in Business Administration from Rollins College, going to classes at night while he worked. His children watched him study or go to classes after a long day of work and celebrated his success as he achieved each degree. He loved the Rollins campus and could be found on their tennis courts in a hubbub of people, young and old, who often went there for a match. Tennis was a great love of Tony’s, playing with his children and friends in matches across Central Florida. While he was introduced to tennis in his youth by his uncle who first put a tennis racquet in his hands, it wasn’t until after his children attended grade school that he had the opportunity to play again. Wherever Tony and Jeannie’s travels took them, he would find a tennis community. He enjoyed playing into his 80’s, with the clay courts of Lake Mary being the last place he played when he gave it up to care for Jeannie. Tony had the heart of a coach and was instrumental in developing his children and grandchildren in the sport of tennis and all the sports they played.

Tony’s career spanned from Martin Marietta to Stromberg Carlson as he transitioned into telecommunications, including developing a plant and managing it for ITT in Cape Canaveral, Florida. There he began with 30 employees and increased it to 500 employees when the operation moved to Melbourne, Florida. His management style was direct, coach oriented, but personable. He was known for saying “effective communication requires three fundamental things: a transmitter, a processor, and receiver. Without any one of those, communication breaks down.” He was also known for saying “a commitment made is a commitment met.” Tony was awarded the ITT Ring of Quality for his commitment and leadership in the area of quality and operating performance.

Tony and Jeannie’s journey continued when Tony joined Scientific Atlanta in Alpharetta, Georgia and then Motorola in Huntsville, Alabama. After retirement, they returned to Florida, living in Debary and Poinciana before settling in Winter Springs where they enjoyed being closer to their Florida resident children, long early morning walks, 5 o’clock Mass on Saturdays at St. Stephens, tennis with his buddies at Lake Mary Tennis Center and with Father John at Tuscawilla, and a wonderful community of neighbors.

Tony was dedicated to his family, supporting them in all things and exhibiting a work ethic that has been passed onto his children. They learned dignity, family first, discipline, purpose, responsibility, and a healthy dose of persistence. He encouraged his children to strive to do their best in all that they did. Another favorite quote of his was “Winners never quit, quitters never win!”.

Tony will be forever remembered and loved by his six children: Theresa Ann (Perry) Doerfler (Glenn), Michael Perry (Joy), Steven Perry (Lisa), Craig Perry, Albert J. (Tony) Perry, Jr. (Karla), Joseph (Joey) Perry (Youngy). He will also be remembered with love and wonderful memories as “Poppie” by his 18 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and “Uncle Tony” by his four nieces. Tony is preceded in death by his wife, Jeannette (Kuskowski) Perry; mother, Lois Wilson; his father, Ailey Perry; sister, Peggy (Perry) Light; sister, Ile Rae (Wilson) Nason; brother, Brookie Wilson.

Tony’s family finds peace in knowing that he is with Jeannie at home with our Lord, who has promised eternal life. Our memories of the dedicated, loving, and giving parents our mom and dad were, will be in our hearts today, forever, and always.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00AM on June 12th at the Mary, Mother of God Chapel at San Pedro Center, 95 Bishop Grady Lane, Winter Park, FL followed by interment at Glen Haven Memorial Park, 2300 Temple Drive, Winter Park, FL.

Arrangements by Baldwin-Fairchild at Chapel Hill Funeral Home.

A reception will follow the interment at Winter Park Racquet Club, 2111 Via Tuscany, Winter Park, FL following the interment. All are welcome.

We respectfully ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the USTA Florida Foundation in Albert Jay Perry’s name, allowing the opportunity for youth to experience the enjoyment of tennis just as Tony did. These funds will support youth tennis programs, adaptive tennis programs for those with special needs, as well as community tennis programs in economically challenged areas.

Please visit the following link: https://www.ustafloridafoundation.com/albertperry

1. Click “Donate.”’

2. Choose the amount you would like to give.

3. Choose the drop down under “Donate To” and click “In Memory of Albert Jay Perry.”