PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — One of Philadelphia's most generous philanthropists and business icons, Raymond Perelman, is being remembered after dying peacefully earlier in the week at the age of 101.
Funeral services and interment were private. His family said the thoughts and prayers they have received are appreciated.
Former Philadelphia Mayor and Pa. Gov. Ed Rendell told CBS3 Eyewitness News that Perelman gave many generous and important gifts in his lifetime, including one that helped to create the Kimmel Center.
"I went to Ray, and I sat down and I told him about what I thought the performing arts center could do for the city and what it could do for the performing arts," said Rendell. "And he wrote a very nice check for the second theater at the Kimmel. It's called the Perelman Theater, and that reunited our fundraising. And within a two month period, we raised all of the money needed to make the Kimmel Center a reality."
The family is asking that any contributions in Raymond Perelman's memory be made to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia or the University of Pennsylvania.
