Philip Martin Perlstein

He is survived by Pearl, his beloved wife of 60 years, his sister Linda Popick, his children Jill (Rabbi Richard Kirsch), Ira (Mindy), Stacy (Stuart Gallin) and Cory (Amelia), his grandchildren Joey (Rena), Sara, Jonathan, Hannah (Joey Dresdner), Joshua, Dylan, Ross, Ethan, Jordan, Talia, Seth and Ellie.

Philip was born on June 18, 1934 to Tillie and Isadore. He was an incredibly devoted son, as well as loving brother to his sister, Linda, and brother Herman, who sadly died when Philip was a child. Philip grew up in Brooklyn, New York, a place that he loved so much and always reflected on so fondly. After attending Brooklyn College, he went on to become an actuary. He was a fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.

On January 16, 1965, in the midst of a blizzard, Philip made easily the greatest decision of his life, marrying his bashert, Pearl. Together they built a close-knit family, first in Brooklyn, then in West Orange, growing strong Jewish roots in the community through their involvement at B’nai Shalom and later Ohr Torah while always instilling an incredible love for Judaism and Israel.

While Philip’s life achievements were vast, the singular accomplishment he valued most was his family, which stood above all else. Together, Pearl and Phil built a beautiful family, raising four children, Jill, Ira, Stacy and Cory, and then adding four more– Rich, Mindy, Stu and Amelia. His eight children then blessed him with his greatest gift…his 12, now 14, grandchildren: Joey (Rena), Sara, Jonathan, Hannah (Joey Dresdner), Joshua, Dylan, Ross, Ethan, Jordan, Talia, Seth and Ellie. He loved nothing more than watching his family continue to grow.

Donations in his honor can be made to The Ferencz Institute for Ethics, Human Rights and the Holocaust or the American Friends of Magen David Adom.

A funeral service for Philip will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 11 AM at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, NJ 07039. The family will be receiving guests from 10:15 AM to 10:45 AM. The burial will follow at Beth Israel Cemetery, 1098 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge, NJ 07095.