Joe Perlaky, 66, of Oregon, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on June 13, 2022. He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph J. and Stephanie (Kajfasz) Perlaky of Toledo, Ohio.
Joe is survived by his son Adam (Anna) Perlaky, grandchildren Arthur, Marit, and Charlie Perlaky, sister Nikki, and close friend Joann Heninger.
On May 8, 1956, Joe was born in Montreal, Canada. He was a graduate of St. Francis De Sales High School and the University of Toledo, where his earned his Bachelor of Education in music education and a Master of Business Administration.
After receiving his music degree, most of Joe's evenings for the next 13 years consisted of playing in a band (Polyphony) with Randy Britton, all while operating several successful businesses during the day. In 1994, he and his laundromat in Oregon were even featured in a segment for Good Morning America.
In the late 90's, Joe partnered with Entrepreneur Magazine to produce a series of 15 audio "how to" books on CD, including bestsellers such as Gorilla Marketing, 10 Minute Marketing, Radicals and Visionaries, and MadScam.
In 2000, Joe sold his businesses to work in economic development. During that time, he designed and set long-term strategies for an industrial park in Oregon, where he was instrumental in bringing in ProMedica Hospital as part of a collaboration with city officials.
While working at the Regional Growth Partnership and the University of Toledo, Joe later used his business acumen and passion for entrepreneurship to help others realize their dreams by starting their own businesses.
At the University of Toledo, Joe worked in the Office of Research, where he learned the art of grant writing. Well suited to this role, Joe was awarded more than a dozen federal grants for non-profit organizations with whom he had partnered. Additionally, he was a member of the team that started the Maumee Valley Growers Association, for which he served as Executive Director for many years.
Despite all of his business success, Joe's passion for music never waned. He wrote hundreds of instrumental arrangements suitable for commercial cues. Never one to miss a promotional business opportunity, Joe specifically requested to include here that many of these songs are available to listen to on his website www.joeperlakymusic.com.
Joe was known for his dry sense of humor, often accompanied by a sly smile. He loved his friends, cherishing their annual trip to Put-In-Bay. Every Christmas, friends and family took delight in his unique style of gift-giving, which can only be described as utilitarian (who could not use a surge protector?).
Joe took great pride in his son Adam, with whom he shared a passion for technology and learning. Excited for the next generation, he was looking forward to summer bike rides and continued birthday celebrations with his grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at the Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel 440 S. Coy Road Friday, June 17, 2022 from 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Francis De Sales High School.