L. James Perini

L. James (Jim) Perini, 93, a resident at Newport Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, passed peacefully to eternity on Monday, May 11, 2026. Even though he was a resident there for a short time, he amused the staff with his wit and general good humor. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Betty Lou (Blain) Perini.

He is survived by four children and three grandchildren: Hollee (Perini) Hulderman, Sarasota, FL; Jeffrey Perini and his wife, Susan (Hoerner) Perini, Mount Joy and their two children: Sarah Perini, married to Travis Scherich, Lancaster and Nicholas Perini, married to Shannon (Madigan) Perini, Cranberry Township; Jennifer (Perini) Weems, Lancaster and her son, Cameron Weems; and Jon Perini, Lititz.

Jim was born in Lititz on September 3, 1932, and was the son of Lewis Perini and Elizabeth (Kling) Perini. He graduated from Lititz High School and spent two years studying geology at Franklin and Marshall College. Jim was the owner and proprietor of East End Grocery, located on East Main Street in Lititz. It was here that he made many friends and business associates. Jim was proud to be a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

He loved the beach, having spent countless weekends with Betty and family at Treasure Beach Campground in Fenwick Island, DE, and took yearly trips to Marco Island and Key West, FL. He was a past member of the Nittany Lion Club and Penn State Football season ticket holder for many years. On any hot summer day, Jim could be found sitting on the beach, riding roller coasters at Hershey Park, playing volleyball at the Lititz Springs Pool, or engaging in a friendly game of badminton in the back yard with his family. He also enjoyed gardening/landscaping and watching the birds (and often squirrels) who frequented his many feeders located outside of his picture window.

He was good with numbers and everyone in the house knew who to go to have their math homework checked. While serving in the military in the mid 1950’s, this talent no doubt contributed to his assignment to the White Sands Missile Testing site in New Mexico. He always said that there, he was in charge of the countdowns. During his service, he earned the National Defense Service and Good Conduct medals.

He served the community that he loved through membership in the Lititz Jay-Cees and later the Lititz Lions Club. He went on to once serve as President of both organizations.