Dale J. Perz

So this is a little different. I'm writing my own obituary, which means that I do have to tell you that I have died. It happened on Thursday, May 22, 2025 and was due largely to the advanced age of 74 years that I had achieved and complications of a triple bypass surgery.
At any rate, I did a lot of looking back as I wrote this, and I remembered my mother telling me more than once that she thought I was "lucky". She might have been right. I was lucky to be born to strict, caring parents. I was lucky to have a great younger brother and sister, Randy and Cathy, who were both great friends to me as well. I was lucky to get a quality Catholic elementary and high school education. I was lucky to receive a grant and an RA job to finance most of my Michigan State University education. I was lucky to marry Gwen, about whom I will simply say that she is the best person I have ever known. I was lucky to be blessed with two beautiful, brilliant, and loving daughters, Sarah and Rebecca. I was lucky to welcome two fine sons-in-law into our growing family, Jason and Hubert. I was lucky to also welcome four grandsons into said family: Emmett, Reed, and twins Harrison and Benjamin. I was lucky to remain duly employed all of my adult life, starting with Michigan State University and progressing through Dow Chemical Company, the Tuscola County Advertiser, PERZPECTIVES, Human Development Commission, Tuscola Behavioral Health Systems, and Caro Community Hospital. I was lucky to have known many fine and respected priests in my life: Fr. Lang, Fr. Loos, Fr. Gentner, Fr. O'Neil, Fr. Mike, Fr. Dennis, Fr. Jerzy, Fr. Christopher, Fr. Adam, and my newest friend, Fr. Isaac...all of whom helped me grow as a Catholic and to appreciate the importance of my God-given place in the world. I was lucky to be given a talent for music, and I always felt I was even luckier to be able to use that talent to praise God as a guitarist and vocalist in the Catholic Church. And, boy, I was really lucky to be blessed with a multitude of friends. There were those from my youth: Mark, Paul, and Betty, along with my St. James classmates from 1968; my college roommate Ken O'Brien; Dan Bristol, my friend, confidante, "fishing buddy", and musical partner for four decades; all the other friends I made through the joy of playing music, too numerous to mention here; my partners in the St. Christopher Food Pantry; and all my dear brothers of the Sacred Heart Men's Choir. You all enriched my life beyond measure.
OK, so Mom was right - I have been very lucky! Sure, there were some stones in the road along the way: I wish I hadn't lost my grandparents, my sister, my parents, some of my cousins, and all my aunts and uncles. On the other hand, my brother Randy and I were always close, and we got even closer through our Sunday night phone calls in the last few years. I inherited an additional family made up of Gwen's siblings and their spouses, all of whom I loved dearly. Michael, Paula and Gerry, Mary Beth, Mike, David and Virginia...thanks for adding such a rich and wonderful dimension to my life. My brother-in-law Paul, who was married to my sister Cathy, has remained close to my heart and I'm grateful for that. I should thank all my cousins for the experiences we may have shared, and I hope they'll all forgive me if I single one of them out. She's my "justBcuz" Connie, who was a trained caregiver and helped to look after both my parents. But she and her husband Butch were also great friends to me and Gwen, and I hope they know how much I treasured them both. Finally, to my nieces and nephews, I just want to say I wish I had had the chance to get to know all of you better; I hope your parents had a kind word to say about me.
Just a couple more things: I'd like to invite you to a gathering at Ransford Collon Funeral Home at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. We'll have visiting, prayers, and a chance to share some memories of our times together at 7:00 p.m. On Wednesday, May 28, 2025 I have requested a one-hour visitation at St. Christopher Parish-Sacred Heart Church in Caro, starting at 9:00 a.m. Because music was such a huge part of my life and my faith, I've asked for this to be followed at 10:00 AM by an uplifting concert presented by some of my musical friends and colleagues. My funeral liturgy is then scheduled to begin at approximately 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Yesu Mulakaleti officiating. A luncheon at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Caro will be served immediately afterwards (deviled eggs, please).
I've asked for a private burial with my family, so that will take place at a later time to be determined by them. If you wish to make a contribution in my memory, please give it to the St. Christopher Parish Food Pantry, and please be generous! Thank you.