James John Perk

After a long illness, James John Perk, age 79, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.  Jim was born on July 16, 1944 in Cleveland, Ohio to George and Gertrude Perk and is survived by his loving partner Cecelia Harrison, brother William (Toni) Perk , his dearest sister Theresa Perk LoPresti and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  He is predeceased by his parents George and Gertrude Perk, his sister Delores (Penny) Perk Aguas and his brother George Perk. Jim was a proud Veteran of the United States Army and will be remembered for his tenacious spirit, love of family, love of skiing and family clambakes. 

Family and friends are welcome on Friday, December 15, 2023 from 4:00-7:00pm at Slone & Co. Funeral Directors 13115 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44111.  Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 10:00am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church 3395 E.53rd St., Cleveland, Ohio 44127.  PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions may be made in memory of Jim to Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

Jim grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and remained a resident of Northeast Ohio his entire life.  He is a 1958 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Grade School, a 1962 graduate of Benedictine High School and a 1979 graduate from Fenn College of Engineering.  He holds licenses in the state of Ohio as a Surveyor and Professional Engineer. Jim was very proud of his Engineering career which spanned a few decades.  He started in private consulting, worked at the City of Cleveland for fifteen years in Government Engineering and then joined the Ohio Department of Transportation where he used his Engineering skills to help provide a transportation system that is safe, accessible, well maintained, and positioned for the future.. He retired from ODOT in 2015.   Jim is a Vietnam Veteran having served in the United States Army at Ft. Knox, Kentucky where he learned to operate tanks.  He was a longtime member of the Cleveland Grays and the American Legion Army Navy Shaker Post No. 54.

Jim was a spirited individual who took on many passions which included playing chess, boating, photograpy, volleyball, skiing and later in life, he tried his hand at woodworking.  Anyone who knew Jim knew he was deeply passionate about skiing.  He belonged to the Fagowees Ski and Snowboard Club of Cleveland where he travelled the world skiing, most notably to the Canadian Rockies, Latin America and Austria.  Jim was also a ski instructor at Boston Mills Ski Resort and a member of the Edgewater Yacht Club. 

Jim had a reserved and protective nature.  Most of the time you had to push and pry information from him but if you knew him, you knew him.  In typical Jim fashion, he fought hard and strong to the very end.  He will be forever missed.

 A heartfelt thank you to the ICU at Regency Hospital in Middleburgh Heights, especially Eileen and Tamera, for your compassionate care during Jim’s stay.