Stephen ‘Steve’ Perfit of Olive
Stephen “Steve” Perfit lost his courageous battle with cancer on Aug. 29, 2017. He died peacefully at home surrounded by loving family and friends. His optimistic nature, fearless attitude, and strong will and spirit kept him fighting until the end.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Steve was a nature enthusiast and loved scuba diving, skiing, water skiing, boating, cycling, and hiking. Steve was a world adventurer and loved traveling with his family. He had a great love of life and living. He greeted each day with optimism and purpose. Steve’s greatest love was working outdoors at his home in Olive which he shared with his loving wife Colette of 33 years and daughter Joli. Steve adored his family above all else; nothing was more important to him.
Steve had a penchant for business and earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance at NYU in Finance and a Masters Degree in Business Administration and Finance at Pace University. Civic Affairs and Activities: Steve moved to Olive in 1989 and immediately became an active volunteer member of the community. From 1990 to 2001 he served as Captain, Chair of the Board, EMT, Treasurer, and Squad Leader of the Olive First Aid Unit. In 1995 he served on the Planning Board in Olive.
From 1993 to 1999 he served on the Board of Directors of ARC where he became Treasurer in 1998. Steve served on the Ulster County Chapter of the American Red Cross from 1996 to 1998. From 2008 to 2012 he served as Treasurer and Board member on the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency (UCIDA). Steve had a passion for music and film and volunteered as an EMT for two Woodstock revival concerts in Saugerties 1994 and Rome, N.Y.,in 1999.
Real Estate Business Accomplishments: During the last 25 years Steve had a stellar career in commercial real estate in the Hudson Valley opening his own company Upstate Commercial Group in 1996 which he merged with Pyramid Brokerage Cushman Wakefield in 2008 where he became Senior Executive Director.
Prior to his career in real estate he served as Managing Director at Bear Stearns.
Steve received many accolades as a realtor. He was honored as Realtor of the Year from 1999 to 2005 by the New York State Commercial Association of Realtors (NYSCAR) and in 1998 received the honor of Realtor of the Year from the Hudson Valley Chapter of NYSCAR.
Steve also served as President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Chairman and Education and Finance Committees of NYSCAR from 2000 to 2005.
Steve received his Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) from the institute in 1996, a designation that insures that the individual is a leading expert in the field. As a CCIM Steve served on the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Treasurer, Budget Committee Member, and New York State Chapter President, Secretary and Treasurer. Steve received his SIOR designation (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors) an organization which represents the industry’s most knowledgeable, experienced and successful commercial real estate broker specialists.
Steve leaves behind his loving wife of 33 years, Colette Manginelli Perfit and daughter Joli Perfit; daughter, Lara Perfit Winters and son-in-law, Mike Winters; son, Joshua Perfit and his partner Tina Rodriguez; grandchildren, Max, Sage and Sophia; and sister, Roberta Jacoby.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Oct. 8 at 11 a.m. at The Woodstock Jewish Congregation, 1682 Glasco Turnpike, Woodstock, N.Y. A Celebration of Life Memorial gathering will commence at New World Home Cooking Company, Route 212 Saugerties, N.Y., immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, a College Trust Fund has been set up for Steve’s daughter Joli Perfit, and donations may be made in her name and sent to the family.