The Honorable Magistrate Judge David Perelman died on November 12, 2022, at the age of 88. David is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Judie (Madorsky), brother Robert (Essy) Perelman and sister Dorothy (Carl Farona), Perelman, children Terri (David) Perelman-Hall, Riki (Stephen) Hanley, and Ken (Ann Kocks) Perelman. David was a loving grandfather, doting on his grandchildren Sam (Rachel Kacenjar) Hanley, Austen Perelman-Hall, Eli Hanley, Sidney (Sean Hardin) Perelman, Josh (Hannah Leach) Perelman-Hall, Una Hanley, Zander Perelman, and Senna Perelman. He was known by those who loved him as David, Dave, or simply Judge.
David was born and grew up in Cleveland, graduating from Glenville High School in 1952. David received his Bachelor and Law degrees from Western Reserve University and was a member of the Phi Sigma Delta fraternity. Attending on a full scholarship he graduated second in his class and achieved the Order of the Coif.
As a newly minted lawyer he took a job with the federal government, working as a clerk for Judge Paul Weick, and later for Judge Ben Green. During his seventeen years as a clerk he earned a reputation as a smart and capable assistant, often sought out for his expertise in researching and writing opinions. This led to his recognition by the judges of the Northern District of Ohio who approved his appointment to the bench as a Magistrate Judge in 1979.
For the next 31 years he presided over a wide variety of cases in his courtroom. He was determined to be fair and impartial, to treat those who appeared before him with respect. At times he was creative or unconventional, but through this, and sometimes despite this, he earned the respect of his peers.
Of his duties as a Magistrate Judge one of the things he enjoyed most was performing naturalizations of new U.S. citizens. He would tell these new citizens of their rights and responsibilities as Americans, but he would stress the importance of remembering and honoring their home countries. As part of the ceremony he would encourage them to speak, to share their thoughts and feelings as they took this momentous step. He was often told how meaningful he made the ceremony, both by participants and by observers.
He lived most of his life in Cleveland Heights which fit his progressive thinking, open-mindedness, and generous spirit. Outside of work David was a lover and supporter of the arts. He loved theater, opera, dance, and music. He was a collector of art with an eclectic collection, and served on the board of the Cleveland Ballet as well being a financial supporter of many local arts organizations. David attended performances at Cain Park for decades where he and Judie could be found in the front row at almost every show. He and Judie were avid travelers, visiting over 25 countries and traveling all over the United States. While traveling he discovered a love of photography and his photos decorated the walls of his home and office.
David was a long-suffering Cleveland sports fan. He sold programs during the 1948 World Series, even though this may have meant skipping school. Throughout the years he and his family attended Cleveland football, baseball, basketball, and hockey games, and he passed his love on to his children and grandchildren. He loved softball both as a player and as a coach. For over two decades he coached a wildly successful women’s softball team, The Screwballs, in the Cleveland Heights rec league.
David’s family was his greatest joy and he considered himself amazingly fortunate that his children and their families all lived within a mile of his home. He spent countless hours watching his grandchildren in theater, in musical performance and in sports. He broadened their horizons through travel and through supporting their education.
David truly loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was not just content, he was happy until the very end. He will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends.
Those who would like to make a donation in David’s honor may contribute to Preterm, 12000 Shaker Blvd. Cleveland OH 44120 or at preterm.org; or to an arts organization of their choice.
Services were held Tuesday, November 15 at 2 PM at the BERKOWITZ-KUMIN-BOOKATZ MEMORIAL CHAPEL 1985 S. TAYLOR RD. CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO
INTERMENT BET OLAM CEMETERY
FAMILY WILL RECEIVE FRIENDS AT THE RESIDENCE, 2936 E. OVERLOOK RD, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO, TUESDAY FOLLOWING INTERMENT UNTIL 9PM ONLY.
To view this service please navigate to https://youtu.be/TZ2FNZt2fxI.
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.11.5