PERLMAN, Dr. Donald With deep reverence and heavy hearts, we are sad to announce that Dr. Donald passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 20, at his home in Swampscott, after a long and valiant battle with ALS, with his beloved wife Cynthia and youngest daughter Victoria at his side. In addition to Cynthia and Victoria, Dr. Perlman also leaves his loving daughter Lisa and her husband Alan; devoted son Timothy and his wife Amy; and cherished grandchildren, Isabel, Jacob, and Zachary; as well as his extraordinary caregivers, Carmen, Ramona, Lucy, and Jeimy. He was predeceased by his eldest son Michael; and also leaves a wonderful extended family. Dr. Perlman lived an extraordinary life of giving and sacrifice. Following medical school at Boston University, he trained at Case Western Reserve University Hospital in Cleveland and began his surgical career as a Captain in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Jay in NY and Fort Devens in MA. He was a Clinical Instructor in Surgery at Harvard University School of Medicine, was on the staff of Massachusetts General Hospital, and himself trained a generation of surgical residents from MGH from 1962 through 1987. Dr. Perlman truly loved medicine, and practiced surgery faithfully on the North Shore at Lynn, Union, Saugus, and Salem Hospitals for over fifty years, until he retired at the age of 84. His patients were first and foremost, and he was tireless in his quest to heal them. He loved his office staff, with whom he was together for the greater part of his career, and collaborated with and respected his fellow doctors, nurses, and hospital staff, and looked forward to working with them every day. However, he delighted most in his family, with whom he spent his happiest moments in life. He will be remembered with love and deep admiration always, and will be dearly missed. Visiting Hours: There will be a visitation and memorial at Stanetsky-Hymanson Memorial Chapel in Salem on Tuesday at 2:00PM. Burial at Waterside Cemetery in Marblehead will be private with family. Remembrance may be made to the Boston North Cancer Association of Peabody MA. www.bostonnorthcancer.org, (781) 205-9447. For more information or to register in the online guestbook, please visit www.stanetskyhymansonsalem.com. Stanetsky-Hymanson Memorial Chapel 781-581-2300

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Published by Boston Globe from Jul. 23 to Jul. 24, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for DONALD PERLMAN

18 Entries

Debra Sharpe

July 17, 2025

I still think of you all the time and how you got to me the very next day when my mom worked in OR for you and you were so honest about what I was going to need. A very special person you were always. Sincerely I know God has wrapped you in his arms. Debra Sharpe

Debra Sharpe

July 17, 2023

Again I read this with the greatest sadness. After a long life of working and being a patient I know of no better human being than Dr. Perlman. As I read again i see Dr Brown whom I had as a professor also not at all surprised by this friendship. I think of you often and thank you for your kindness and honesty to a little girl of 16.
Angels are there for you.
Debra Sharpe

Dorothy Blass

August 31, 2022

Dear Cynthia and family,
I just learned of Dr Perlman´s passing. I spent so many wonderful years with him in the OR and working in his office. My heart is broken to learn of his passing. He taught me so much about surgery and life. Please accept my deepest condolences!
Dorothy Blass

Patricia Stapinski

August 25, 2022

I was very saddened to hear of Dr. Perlman´s passing yesterday. My sincere condolences to all of his family,friends,and associates. I shall be forever grateful and will never forget the kindnesses,patience, and understanding he showed to my mother and our family after she received a breast cancer diagnosis at age 80. He treated her with the utmost respect. A finer man there is not. May he rest in everlastingly peace.

Susan

August 1, 2022

A true gentleman in every aspect of the word. I enjoyed working with him and I'm saddened to hear of his passing. He left such a lasting impact on so many-his kindness and genuine compassion was unmatched.

Marilyn Moccia

July 31, 2022

My Mom worked with Dr. Perlman at Lynn Hospital and was also a patient of his. Dr. Perlman was not only a great doctor but a wonderful person. He was one of my Mom´s favorite doctors. Thank you, Dr. Perlman, for all the help you gave to her. Condolences to your family.

Sally Levy

July 29, 2022

He was my dearest and most favorite uncle. He will be forever in my memory and missed terribly.
We love you, Sally and Brian

Linda Goodale

July 27, 2022

Cynthia, I am so sorry to learn of your husband's passing. I am thrilled to know you had so many good years, with him, but still the loss must be difficult for you and your family. I was just talking about how you introduced me to White Farm peppermint stick ice cream so many years ago at the Hunt! I am in retirement mode now, after so many years, but still work a few shifts a month at Salem in the OB Unit. Hence, where I saw the announcement. Thank you for all your patience and teaching so many years ago!!
Linda

Sherrill Webber

July 27, 2022

I was an RN at Lynn Hospital for many years, worked with him often. He was a wonderful,caring & great surgeon. I was dx. with a Strep A inf. of my rt arm.At that time called flesh eating inf. Dr Perlman saved my life & arm over many weeks of hospital care. Will never forget him as wonderful surgeon & person. He will be missed

Muriel Sakellson

July 26, 2022

To Dr. Perlmans Family,
I wish to send my condolences to you all. Dr. Perlman was a wonderful, kind and caring doctor. He saved my life when I had cancer twenty years ago. He always lifted my spirits when I would feel down. He was a doctor who loved his patients and we all loved him. I will always remember him and be grateful for all he did for me and my family.
God Bless,
Muriel Sakellson

Terry Merriman

July 26, 2022

My condolences to your family for your loss.

Dr. Sheldon Brown

July 26, 2022

Dr. Perlman performed surgery on my wife and on myself. I remember his friendly and infectious smile. Whenever we would happen to meet on occasion, Dr. Perlman took an interest in my life and in my teaching about the Holocaust.

Bonni Kimmel

July 25, 2022

My thoughts and prayers to his family. My mother was his patient, and he was so caring to her. He really was a wonderful person, and he will be missed.

William Sakellson

July 25, 2022

Dr. PERLMAN WAS THE BEST DOCTOR, THE BEST SURGEON & THE BEST PERSON. HE WAS A REAL PEOPLES DOCTOR, RESPECTED BY ALL !!

Debra Sharpe

July 25, 2022

Dr Perlman you were such a wonderful Dr, my mom worked as your anesthesia nurse at Union Hospital and when I needed surgery at the young age of 16-2 in a row- you did the first one the very next day so gracefully knowing I was so afraid. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and also for hiring my mom for the job she loved the most. I have thought of you well over 50 yrs now. Debra N Sharpe
and the late Dorothy E. Sharpe, RN, BSN, MSA

Denise St Laurent

July 25, 2022

I worked with Dr.Perlman for many years at both Lynn and Union Hosp. He was one of the nicest most caring people I have ever known. He always treated the nurses with great respect. I learned a great deal from him .

Dick George

July 24, 2022

Requiescat in Pacem meus amicus.

Karen Brewin

July 23, 2022

I worked as an R.N. at Lynn and Union Hospital, as well as Salem Hospital and had many interactions with Dr Perlman both clinically and as a patient of his. He was one of the most decent honorable men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and one of the best surgeons I´ve ever known. Patients and staff loved him. Although I haven´t seen him in many years I am deeply saddened to read of his passing. My thoughts are with his family and I hope they are comforted by the fact Donald Perlman left an indelible mark on many, many lives.

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