Sheldon Perry Obituary

Sheldon passed away at his home in Northbrook, Ill, on January 4, 2022, at the age of 83. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Susan Perry, his four grandchildren, Skyler, Sawyer, Cooper, and Griffin Harris, his younger brother, Arthur, and Arthur's wife, Rhoda. Sheldon was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1938 to Isadore and Rebecca Pedowitz. Gifted with outstanding athleticism and rhythm, Sheldon pursued a career in dance from a young age. He was admitted to the Performing Arts and Professional Children's Academies in his youth, and he continued to dance throughout high school. At the age of 17, he appeared on the Jackie Gleason Show as a June Taylor Dancer. It was as a dance counselor at a sleepaway camp in Monticello, NY that Sheldon met his future wife, Susan, who was also a camp counselor. Turning down an offer to tour professionally across Europe, Sheldon applied and was accepted to Columbia University. While there, he taught dance and appeared in several college musicals. He graduated, as a history major, in 1959. Sheldon had a great deal of pride for his alma mater; he talked incessantly about Columbia to anyone who would listen and followed the Columbia Lions football team for over half a century. Soon after graduating, Sheldon joined the NY National Guard, serving at Ft. Dix in New Jersey and Ft. Knox in KY. He would remain a guard member for three years. In 1960, Sheldon and Susan married. They soon had their first child, Glen, who was born in 1961. Glen would go on to become a successful attorney in California after attending Wharton and the University of Michigan, and also graduated from Washington University Law School. In 1965, Susan and Sheldon had their second child, Faith. She would go on to become a successful producer, eventually working for Oprah, after attending Stanford, the University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University. While working to support his family in New York, Sheldon earned a JD from Brooklyn Law School in 1965. He would go on to work as a lawyer for CBS, NBC, and ABC, eventually taking on the role of VP of business affairs at each of these companies. Sheldon had a quick sense of humor and was loved by many - especially his four grandchildren, born to his daughter, Faith, and her husband, Wesley. His grandchildren were his pride and joy, and relished in their accomplishments. Griffin and his wife Tara live in Colorado, both working in the natural resources field. Cooper is currently attending graduate school at the University of Penn (a staunch rival of Columbia - as Sheldon pointed out frequently). Sawyer is attending Rollins College in Florida, and Skyler will be graduating from New Trier High School in Winnetka this year. Everyone who knew Sheldon admired his intelligence, kindness, and caring attitude. A dear friend and mentor to many, Sheldon will be sorely missed, especially by his grandkids. Arrangements by Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home. For information call 847-256-5700.