Fred Peruski

Fred Peruski, 74 of Sandusky, died Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit following a diagnosis of multiple myeloma (bone marrow) cancer earlier this year. He actually beat this ugly disease, but lost the battle to a flu virus. He was born on September 2, 1942 in Ubly, to the late Henry and Grace (O’Parka) Peruski. He married Kathleen Graham on August 3, 1963 at St. Pancratius Catholic Church in Cass City. Fred was a brother to an extremely large farming/Catholic/Polish family comprised of nine brothers and two sisters. Born and raised just outside the bustling village of Ubly, Fred grew up milking cows, planting and harvesting crops as well as walking uphill to and from school every day, because that how it was done back in those days according to him. After graduating from Ubly High School in 1959, he moved to Wolverine, Michigan where he began his second career in construction as a cement mason. This was a passion of his that continued for decades and whenever a request came in from a friend or family member, he would be the first to volunteer. In 1962, as fate would have it, he met his loving wife, Kathleen Graham, during a wedding party at the infamous Cumber Bar where he literally swept her off her feet by dancing the polka. After several years away, they decided to return to the Thumb area in order to be closer to family and plant his roots for the rest of his life. Upon their return in 1965, they bought a small dairy farm in the Deckerville area that was perfect to raise a growing family. Fred became an extremely active community member, having joined the parish counsel at St. Joseph’s in Argyle, the Knights of Columbus in Sandusky, and softball teams in any city. His friends would ask him to play because they knew he would always belt one out of the park and generally any organization that would welcome his vibrant language and strong opinions. An avid fisherman, hunter, bowler, pretend golfer, and softball slugger, Fred thoroughly loved being outdoors and active. Even after his diagnosis, he refused to sit still and remained active, living life the only way he knew how. Most of all, he loved being with his dear friends and family. Whether it was the annual Christmas tree cutting, summer weekend trips to Flower Hill or even simple pizza and pop after a hard day of baling hay, he love being with people, friends, family and strangers alike. Fred will be remembered for his extreme generosity of his time and love and will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Fred leaves his beautiful and loving wife of 53 years, Kathleen (Graham) Peruski; his stunning daughters, Natalie (Stanley) Ruth, Tracey (Brent) Henry and Jessica (Toby) Betts; his remarkable sons Jeffery (Marti) Peruski and Jeremy Peruski; amazingly fun and hilarious grandchildren, Justin, Russell, Preston and Hannah Ruth, Kierra, Cora and Emily Peruski, Collin and Connor Henry, Lillian, Jack and Evelyn Betts; as well as great grandchildren, Kenzie, River and Sawyer Ruth; his brothers, Jim (Delphine), Ronnie (Roxy), Stanley (Lorraine), Bob (Jane), Allen (Carolyn), Henry Junior, wonderful sister, Marie, and sister-in-law, Marge Peruski. Of course, let’s not forget his many close fishing, bowling, softball and drinking buddies. They always relied on Fred to entertain them with a darn good story. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Carly, Steve, Joey, sister, Rosie, and daughter, Connie Peruski. Connie was always known for her loving charm and occasional colorful language by muttering something funny and expletive under her breath as she walked away from her dad if he dared to change the channel away from Little House on the Prairie. Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 am, Saturday, December 3 at St. Joseph Church, Argyle. Rev. Charles Hammond, pastor will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Ignatius/St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation is at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly on Friday from 2:00-8:30 pm and Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church only from 10:00-11:00 am. There will be a parish vigil service Friday at 7:00 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been requested to the Sanilac County Special Olympics or the Sandusky Knights of Columbus.