James Perkoski

James (Jim) Peter Perkoski passed away on Sunday, April 28th, 2024 after a multi-year battle with multiple myeloma. He was fortunate to be at home and surrounded by his loving family. The son of John and Jeanette Perkoski, he was 73 years old. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his loving wife, Maureen, with whom he shared nearly 50 years of marriage; his brother, John; his children Carey, Jared, and Evan; their partners Joe, Laura, and Damian; and his six grandchildren that he was so proud of: James, Max, Owen, Caroline, Luke, and Emma.

Jim was raised in downtown North Attleboro and attended Bishop Feehan High School, where he excelled in the classroom and on the field. He played college football while studying political science and economics at Columbia University in New York City, a major shock to his small-town sensibilities. Inspired by his college studies, he developed a life-long passion for history and military affairs. He loved politics as well, and he enjoyed debating his children and watching town council meetings on public access TV (despite the objections of his family). After college, Jim attended Suffolk Law School at night while teaching during the day at his alma mater, Bishop Feehan. Four years later, he received his juris doctor and began a law career that spanned over forty years. This was the perfect field for Jim. An avid rule follower, he took his work and his application of the law very seriously. Jim’s career began as a Special Assistant District Attorney in 1979. He eventually opened his own law office in 1993 and practiced privately for twenty years before accepting a position as the Assistant Clerk Magistrate for the Attleboro District Court in 2013. He took tremendous pride in all aspects of his role at the courthouse and only retired, begrudgingly, this past January as his health declined.

Jim was a quintessential family man whose favorite activity was spending time with those closest to him. He was a loving husband to his wife, Maureen, who was so critical to his care and wellbeing in recent years. They began dating the summer after his freshman year of college and eventually married on June 30th, 1974. They loved to spend time on Cape Cod, celebrating their anniversary in Chatham nearly every year, and their favorite trip together was to Paris in 2014. Jim was a dedicated and loving father who was so proud of his children and their distinct accomplishments. Growing up, he rarely missed any of their games or even practices, and in fact, he was often coaching their sports teams. He was a beloved mentor and supporter to many of their teammates as well. As with his own kids, Jim was devoted to his grandchildren. He enjoyed watching them play around the house as much as at Mason and Community Field where he, his father, his brother, and his two sons also played.

These intergenerational bonds are partly why Jim became such an avid supporter of his community. He was the Chairman of the Attleboro Zoning Board of Appeals, a Trustee of the Attleboro Public Library, a Member of the Attleboro Mental Health Association, and served on the North Attleboro Police Facility Study Committee. As a Board Member of the North Attleboro Pop Warner Football League, Jim was part of the group that planned, fundraised, and built the concession stand at Community Field. In his spare time, Jim could often be found working on and driving the 1953 Dodge pick-up truck that he painstakingly restored himself, after discovering it undriveable and abandoned in a Western Massachusetts barn.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at Transfiguration of the Lord Parish at Saint Mary’s Church on 14 Park Street in North Attleboro on Friday, May 3rd, at 10am. Burial will be private.

His family would like to thank the staff of the Dana Farber Cancer Center for their care and kindness, especially his primary nurse, Heidi. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society or the International Myeloma Foundation.