LeRoy H. Perez

LeRoy Henry Perez, 84, passed away peacefully, in the presence of loved-ones, at home in Caledonia, WI, on June 13, 2024. He was born in Milwaukee, WI, on May 6, 1940. He is preceded in death by his parents Daniel and Feliz Perez, and wife Judith, née Biegel. He is survived by his brothers Daniel and James, sister Priscilla, daughter Carrie, sons Daniel (Shannon), Randall, Robert and Kenton (Malina), grandchildren Daniel, Charles, Bianca, Kavontae, India, Kayla, Ragena, Lukeus and Nathan, and great-grandchildren Antonio, Alena, Raylynn and Jonah.

In 1963, LeRoy and Judith met, and on their first date they went water skiing. They fell in love, married, and began their family. In the early 1970s, in a discussion with a friend, LeRoy learned of a business in South Milwaukee known as McGraw-Edison, now known as Cooper Industries, that was hiring. He applied there and was hired to operate a forklift. He enjoyed his work, perhaps mostly because he enjoyed being behind a steering wheel; he was an excellent driver, whether in a car or on a forklift. He worked at Cooper Industries for over two decades before he retired following a stroke in 1995.

Though retirement took him out of the driver’s seat, he continued to travel along well-known life roads. LeRoy loved life in Wisconsin. He loved picnics in a park. He loved the festivals held on the Milwaukee Summerfest grounds. He loved the Wisconsin State Fair, for the excitement of the rides, arts and crafts, and music. His favorite musical act was Ecuador Manta, a band that specializes in traditional South American music. He also loved the state fair for its delicacies, namely cream puffs and Italian sausage. He loved watching the Green Bay Packers, and was quite vocal during games, whether from his armchair in front of the television set or from his seat at Lambeau Field. He especially loved the simple beauty of sitting with Judith on their front porch on a pleasant summer evening. Though he enjoyed the crisp autumn air, and the beauty of freshly fallen snow in Wisconsin, he enjoyed the heat of Arizona, too, and loved visiting family there whenever he could.

LeRoy had many friends and made them easily. He loved to “shoot the breeze” and could strike up a conversation with a stranger in line at the hardware store just as easily as he could with close friends and family. He spoke fondly of his friends, whose company he greatly enjoyed, whether longtime friends or those he met more recently, in Greenfield, WI and Caledonia, WI. Most of all, he loved being with family, and felt blessed to be among them, not just in his final days, but all throughout his life.

It was LeRoy’s wish to be cremated, and for his ashes to be buried along with those of Judith’s at a later date.