Alan Mark Perkel

Alan Mark Perkel, age 69 years, of Somerville NJ, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2021 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, Somerville, NJ, after a brief, yet courageous battle with cancer.

Born on October 23, 1951 to Morris and Marcia Perkel, Alan was born and raised in New Jersey, until moving to Oklahoma City, OK in 1996, before moving back to the Garden State. Alan worked for over 30 years at ADT Security Systems, where he climbed the ladder from serviceman to a highly respected manager, who made a lasting impact on both his colleagues and those he served.

Alan was the human-embodiment of strength. A fervent bodybuilder in his youth, Alan worked tirelessly to keep his body sharp, but his mind even sharper. Through bodybuilding, he adapted qualities such as discipline, confidence, and self-awareness that he carried with him throughout his life. Alan recognized that true strength is determined by more than just external features, but more importantly, it is dictated by one’s intrinsic ability to grow from their mistakes and remain humble in times of great triumph. Alan led by example, and took insurmountable pride in the installment of these characteristics in his three children.

Although a private man, Alan’s love was always both felt and understood by those around him. Even when he didn’t have the right words to say, he brought tremendous comfort to those whose lives he touched by simply just listening. An innate human need is to be heard and understood, and Alan was able to do this better than anyone. His family recalls the “unspoken love” Alan would emit. While he might not have expressed it in words, his actions spoke loudly of the undying love and support he had for his children and their dreams. He shared his love for music and sports with his cherished son, Max, and both inspired and encouraged him to peruse music throughout his life. He also shared his incredible creativity with his beloved daughter, Melissa, who became an “outside-of-the-box” thinker, whose ability to come up with creative solutions to diverse problems was passed onto her from her father.

Always a giver, Alan was always ready to jump into action to help anyone in need. Whether it was the many animals he rescued in his life, such as the injured baby squirrel named Skylar, that he encouraged  his daughter Melissa to raise as a child until she was healthy enough to be released, or the dog he selflessly rescued from a dog-fighting situation, or the many people in his community that came to him for advice throughout the years, Alan was the type of man who gave and gave, never expecting anything in return. His joy came from being able to make a positive impact on the world around him, and making everyone who walked into his house, feel like they, too, were at home.

Growing up in the 60’s and a true “hippie” at heart, Alan loved sharing stories about his time at Woodstock, and the many adventures he took with his friends. Whether he was listening to The Beatles, admiring the works of Van Gogh, or raising his many plants, Alan was always in-touch with art and nature, as they provided him with the tranquillity and happiness he enjoyed so much.

Although Alan left us far too soon, he will be remembered each time his son watches “The Wizard of Oz,” and throws a football around with his future son, as Alan did with him; and each time his daughter, Melissa, visits the Niagara Falls with her family- a popular vacation site they visited together when she was a child. Alan will be sorely missed, but the endless memories of watching Giants games, his quirky and off-beat sense of humor, and the overwhelming sense of peace that radiated from him each time he walked into a room will never be forgotten.

Carrying on his legacy are his children, daughters Jennifer Perkel, Melissa Ferris and her husband Sean, and his son, Aaron Maxwell Perkel; grandchildren, Samantha, Alexander and Keith Ferris, Jacob Roberts; and many extended family, dear friends, and community members.

Arrangements are private under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

You are encouraged to visit Alan’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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