James Perley
James Perley
1/21/1939 - 3/30/2016
This obituary was written before the end occurred, by the deceased, so as to be sure it is accurate.
I was born in Hornell, N.Y. on January 21, 1939 shortly after the birth of my twin sister Jackie and into a family including my other four sisters JoAnne, twins Nancy and Audrey and Martha. Their presence helped mold my personality. My parents were alcoholics and while the affliction passed me by, it affected my view of how life in a family could be so much better.
The decision to attend The University of Michigan (Biology – 1956-1960) expanded my understanding of diversity in our world and, after marrying Delene in 1960, led to entering a graduate program in Biology at Yale University (1960 to 1965, MS and Ph. D.). There followed an Assistant Professorship at Wayne State University (1965-1968), and then after the race riots in Detroit, MI a search for a more peaceful environment where teaching was valued. From then until 2001 I advanced through the ranks at the College of Wooster (Ohio) to Professor, eventually, honored by being named to the Danforth Chair of Biology in 1997.
During those years our sons Thomas (1967) and Scott (1969) were born and the family took year-long sabbaticals in New Zealand, Vancouver B.C., Davis CA and Berkeley, CA.
While at the College of Wooster, I became very involved in activities of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), first in Ohio then nationally, serving as Chair of the Ohio Conference, Chair of the Assembly of State Conferences, and finally President of the AAUP (1994-1998). The accomplishments I am most proud of are the adoption of policy which allows faculty to see references written anonymously by external reviewers so they could respond to criticisms which had before been confidential, and the establishment of an Association Committee for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (GLTBQ) faculty where their concerns could be addressed. This achievement was recognized in 1997 by Senator Edward Kennedy, which was followed by my attendance at a White House Millennium ceremony with speakers
Hillary Clinton and Stephen Hawking.
During my time at Wooster, I also served as a reader for Educational Testing Service in Biology, eventually becoming Chair of the Test Development Committee.
After being appointed Dean of Arts and Sciences at Millikin University in Illinois and quadruple bypass, we chose to retire in Maine in 2003. Retirement has meant a lot of volunteer involvement, including chairing the Social Action Committee at Allen Avenue UU church in Portland, work at the Tate House Museum (gardening and Chair of the Board), working at Project FEED, a food pantry, where I served as volunteer and Chair of the Board and Delene managed the pantry, and service on the Board of Maine AllCare non-profit, working to bring Medicare for all Maine Citizens.
On a personal note, during these years I have enjoyed a loving, growing family. Scott married Laurel in 2004 and now we also have two lively grandchildren, Nora born in 2006 and Nathan born in 2009. Visits between their home in Philadelphia and ours here in Maine bring us closer together. As I contemplate the approach of the end of my life, I want Scott and Tom to know how very much I love them.
Maine is a very special place and it has been a joy to live here. Hopefully what I leave behind will inspire others to work for justice for all and a desire to help others.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in my memory to: Project FEED (202 Woodford Street Portland, Maine 04103) (http://www.projectfeed.org) or Maine AllCare (http://www.MaineAllCare.org).
Cremation arrangements have been made at Coastal Cremations in Portland, ME. The family will spread ashes privately this summer at Jim’s chosen place along the shore. A memorial service in celebration of Jim’s life is planned for April 23, 2016 at 2 pm at Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church, 524 Allen Avenue, Portland, Maine.
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