Perre Thomas Poley

Mr. Perre Thomas Poley, 61, died unexpectedly on Thursday, March 9, 2023 after a succession of serious medical issues.

We respectfully request that no one arrive at the funeral home prior to the posted visitation times, so as not to intrude on the family’s private time. 

Family and friends are invited to the memorial visitation in the Kowalski Funeral Home, 515 Roselle Street, Linden on Friday, March 24th. from 6:00-8:00PM.  The cremation in Rosehill Crematory in Linden was private. 

Perre, the son of the late Helen Fehn Poley and the late Zygmund Poley, was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey but Perre lived his entire life in the family home in Linden, New Jersey.

During the 1980’s Perre was employed by the City of Linden working on the sanitation trucks for the Department of Public Works and in the 1990’s Perre came into his stride, designing and dressing storefront windows in New York.  He added set design to his repertoire and was known for his work on the Rocky Horror Show at the 8th. Street Playhouse in New York City.  Perre loved the art of doing drag and imitating such movie star favorites as Marilyn Monroe and Lucille Ball.  To his vast array of Facebook friends, he was known as Perry Poli and he enjoyed posting pictures not only from the “good old days”, but also a few from the present.

In addition to his parents, Perry was predeceased by his brother, Zygmund Poley (1975) and his stepsister Valerie Sims (2021).  Perre is survived by his nieces and nephews, Laura Dwyer, George Dwyer, Ryan Dwyer, Zygmund Pippin and Cella Pippin; his three cousins, Susan Smith, Theodora Szuba and Kathleen Carroll.

Perre, well known in his hometown of Linden and beyond, was like the candle on a birthday cake.  He burned very brightly and lived his life according to his own path and never looked back. If you were fortunate enough to call Perre your friend, count yourself lucky, because he was one in a million and

you know there will never be another shining star like Perre.  Have a blast in your next production, Perre!

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