Joseph Mark Perotti

Joseph Mark Perotti passed away peacefully at home in the company of his loving wife on October 18, 2022.
Joseph, son of the late Joseph V. Perotti and Helen M. Kovacik, was born in Manhattan on October 4, 1955. He was survived by his wife Maureen Galway-Perotti, as well as his only sibling, Carol A. McCarthy, nephew Christian McCarthy and niece Meredith Mahoney, and many cousins.
Following in his father's footsteps as a railroader, Joe's life long career in transportation began in the early '70s and evolved as did the railroad. During his thirty-nine year tenure he contributed in various roles. In his early working years he was employed as an electrician in the Mechanical Departments at Penn Central Railroad, Consolidated Rail Corporation, and Metro-North Commuter Railroad. During this time he simultaneously pursued and was awarded a Bachelor of Business Administration from Pace University. When the company transitioned to Metro-North Railroad (MNR) he assumed a new position in the Mechanical Department and served a two year stint as Assistant Supervisor in the Blue Room where he maintained close surveillance of equipment movement throughout the railroad's entire operating territory. Thereafter, he continued on with a twenty-four year tenure in Operations Planning and exited unexpectedly just months before retirement due to a sudden health event.
In 1982 at St. Anastasia's Church, Douglaston, Queens, Joe married the love of his life, Maureen Galway, an Irish lass from literally around the corner and thus began a forty year love story. After residing on Long Island for a number of years, they eventually made the Town of Kent their home, the perfect location for the two outdoors enthusiasts where Joe enjoyed an active life of hiking, paddling and swimming.
He was a gracious host who loved entertaining family and friends and opened his home frequently for pool parties and BBQs where he manned the grill and joked with friends.
Joe was a loyal lifelong Yankee and Green Bay Packer fan, and a natural born athlete himself, a true weekend warrior who loved playing many sports especially football, basketball and softball. A diehard Yankee fan, he reveled at any chance to tell his story of how he got to play in Yankee Stadium as a member of the Benjamin Cardoza High School Baseball Team during the New York City High School Championship, which of course they won. He was the MNR Planning Department's own Derek Jeter, playing short stop for their team, appropriately named the "Wise Guys."
Having left MNR, Joe became involved with Mended Hearts, a charity which functions as a support group for individuals suffering from heart disease. His first foray with the organization began as a recipient of the peer-to-peer support group services, but as time went on and his condition improved he underwent training to become an Accredited Visitor making visits to Putnam Hospital Center offering the gift of hope to heart disease patients, their families and caregivers. He then stepped up as the Local Mended Hearts 361 Chapter Visitor Chairman responsible for coordinating the Chapter's visitor program.
This quiet gentle man with the big smile and wonderful sense of humor was a devoted husband and faithful friend to many. Joe would go to no ends to help people whether it be preparing and serving meals to the homeless, providing peer-to-peer support to fellow cardiac patients, or changing a stranger's flat tire. He built friendships that lasted forever. His memory lives on as a blessing.
Calling Hours will take place Saturday, October 29, 2022, at 1pm to 4pm at Beecher Funeral Home, at 1 Putnam Avenue, Brewster, NY. With Memorial Services starting at 2pm during the calling hours. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers the family welcomes contributions made to Mended Hearts, a charity which functions as a support group for individuals suffering from heart disease. Visit mendedhearts.org/#donate to make a donation in Joe's name.