James Francis Perkaus

We are deeply saddened to inform you of the passing of James Perkaus, dearest son of Bob and Barbara Perkaus.

James (Jim) Perkaus, age 62, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born in Chicago and raised in the Sauganash neighborhood, Jim split his time between Sauganash and Boca Raton, FL.

Jim is survived by his parents Bob and Barbara and his brothers John (Pam) and Mike (Nanci). He was preceded in death by his brother Robert III (Debbie). He is also survived by nephews and nieces Robert IV, (Katey), Matthew (Lauren), Margaret (Dan McCarthy), Paulina, John Jr., and Paul Connors (Caroline). He was a devoted nephew, uncle, and a cherished friend to many.

Jim was a proud alumnus of Loyola Academy, Loyola University Chicago, University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Jim worked at the Chicago Board of Trade and later in Washington D.C. and Geneva Switzerland with the World Resources Institute as an environmental economist. Jim's passion was working on international environmental ethics and policy. Jim enjoyed literature, music, being a sounding board to his family and many friends and being the life of any party he attended. Though he spent 45 years in a wheelchair, he never complained about his limitations - rather he lived every day to the fullest, whether finding ways to ski, scuba dive, and even (thankfully briefly) driving a specially equipped van. Jim completed the 1990 Chicago Marathon and a number of Florida Keys 7 Mile Bridge Runs in his hand cycle wheelchair. He was an inspiration to countless people for his perseverance, kindness, empathy, and great sense of humor.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Loyola Academy James Perkaus Scholarship Fund. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 9th from 4 to 9 p.m. at Queen of All Saints Basilica, 6280 N Sauganash Ave, Chicago, IL 60646. A Funeral Mass will follow on Saturday, January 10th at 10 a.m. at Queen of All Saints Basilica. You can view a livestream of the mass here. Interment will be private.