Obituary for Randolph "Perry" Doerr
In Loving Memory of Randolph “Perry” Doerr
Beloved husband, father, grandfather and community leader Randolph “Perry” Doerr, 85, of Montclair, NJ left this world on July 10, 2022.
Perry was born in Arlington, SD in 1936 to Chester and Jeanette Doerr. He was one of twelve children. He received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Dakota State University in 1958. Athletically inclined, he played football, basketball and ran track while attending college.
After graduation, he moved to Brooklyn, NY where he began his career as Activities Director for the South Brooklyn Neighborhood House. He provided activities for the community and introduced young adults to the theater in New York City. He opened an outpost for underserved teens providing them with a safe place to come together for recreational programs and athletics. During this time, he met his wife, Jacqueline Palestino and they were married in 1961.
The Doerr family moved to Montclair shortly thereafter, where they lived for 57 years. Perry worked for the Township of Montclair as Activities Director then as Supervisor of Recreation. In 1971 he was appointed General Superintendent of Parks, Recreation and Shade Trees. Soon after, he was appointed Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs until 1992 when he became Township Manager. He served under 10 Mayors. Along the way, Perry’s work impacted the lives of many township residents.
Perry was active in local, state, and national professional organizations. He was a founder of First Night Montclair, served as President of the Montclair YMCA Board of Directors as well as on the Board of Directors of Grass Roots, Fourth of July Committee and The New School of Performing Arts. He was also a member of the Montclair Nature Center. Perry was a lecturer at Montclair State University where he developed curriculum for an undergraduate degree program in Parks and Recreation. He also served as an ad hoc Professor for Budget Management.
After retirement, he set out to pursue his passion for woodworking. Throughout his home and the homes of his children, there are numerous furniture pieces that he designed over the years. His handiwork can also be seen throughout Montclair where he crafted name signs for every park. Many are still in place today. When his grandchildren started to arrive, he could be found babysitting, attending school activities and on the sidelines of numerous sporting events. He enjoyed spending time with his family at his beach home in Normandy Beach.
Perry is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Jackie, his son, Randy Doerr, Jr. and his wife Phyllis (Daly) and their sons, Randy III and Liam and his daughter, Juli Platt and her husband, Steve and their sons Nick and Mike. He leaves behind two siblings Roger Doerr and Gorden Doerr, as well as countless nieces and nephews.
A private burial was conducted by Caggiano Memorial Home and was presided over by Reverend Margarette Ouji of the First Lutheran Church of Montclair. A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held for Perry in the Fall.
Beloved husband, father, grandfather and community leader Randolph “Perry” Doerr, 85, of Montclair, NJ left this world on July 10, 2022.
Perry was born in Arlington, SD in 1936 to Chester and Jeanette Doerr. He was one of twelve children. He received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Dakota State University in 1958. Athletically inclined, he played football, basketball and ran track while attending college.
After graduation, he moved to Brooklyn, NY where he began his career as Activities Director for the South Brooklyn Neighborhood House. He provided activities for the community and introduced young adults to the theater in New York City. He opened an outpost for underserved teens providing them with a safe place to come together for recreational programs and athletics. During this time, he met his wife, Jacqueline Palestino and they were married in 1961.
The Doerr family moved to Montclair shortly thereafter, where they lived for 57 years. Perry worked for the Township of Montclair as Activities Director then as Supervisor of Recreation. In 1971 he was appointed General Superintendent of Parks, Recreation and Shade Trees. Soon after, he was appointed Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs until 1992 when he became Township Manager. He served under 10 Mayors. Along the way, Perry’s work impacted the lives of many township residents.
Perry was active in local, state, and national professional organizations. He was a founder of First Night Montclair, served as President of the Montclair YMCA Board of Directors as well as on the Board of Directors of Grass Roots, Fourth of July Committee and The New School of Performing Arts. He was also a member of the Montclair Nature Center. Perry was a lecturer at Montclair State University where he developed curriculum for an undergraduate degree program in Parks and Recreation. He also served as an ad hoc Professor for Budget Management.
After retirement, he set out to pursue his passion for woodworking. Throughout his home and the homes of his children, there are numerous furniture pieces that he designed over the years. His handiwork can also be seen throughout Montclair where he crafted name signs for every park. Many are still in place today. When his grandchildren started to arrive, he could be found babysitting, attending school activities and on the sidelines of numerous sporting events. He enjoyed spending time with his family at his beach home in Normandy Beach.
Perry is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Jackie, his son, Randy Doerr, Jr. and his wife Phyllis (Daly) and their sons, Randy III and Liam and his daughter, Juli Platt and her husband, Steve and their sons Nick and Mike. He leaves behind two siblings Roger Doerr and Gorden Doerr, as well as countless nieces and nephews.
A private burial was conducted by Caggiano Memorial Home and was presided over by Reverend Margarette Ouji of the First Lutheran Church of Montclair. A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held for Perry in the Fall.