Mr. Stephen John Perlaky

Stephen John Perlaky, 73, of Canton, GA (formerly of Longmeadow, MA and Pittsburgh, PA), died on Monday, December 26, 2016, as a result of complications from exposure to Agent Orange during his military service in Vietnam. He was the beloved husband of Denise Ann (Ruhling) Perlaky; father of Sara FitzGerald and her husband Jerry and grandfather of their children Kevin and Stephen of Milton, GA; father of Mary Baxter and her husband Michael and grandfather of their children Aidan, Joseph, Gabriel (Kephart), Declan, Gracen and Avelinn of East Longmeadow, MA; brother-in-law of John and Judy Ruhling of Woodstock, GA and Deacon Edmund LaHouse, husband of the late Sandra Wetzel (Ruhling) LaHouse of Roswell, GA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen John and Helen Regina (Morvay) Perlaky of Pittsburgh, PA. He was a dedicated parishioner of Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, Jasper, GA. At Our Lady of the Mountains, he served as Director of Finance, shared his love of music by serving in the choir, and promoted the love of organ and sacred music. He recently chaired the project to install beautiful stained glass windows throughout the church. He was an alumnus of Pontifical College Josephinum, Worthington Ohio; Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned an MBA in Accounting. He served his country with two years active duty as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps (including Vietnam tour). He was awarded an Army Commendation Medal and a Bronze Star for meritorious service. During his career, he held various roles in accounting and auditing at Arthur Young and Company, Westinghouse, Easco Hand Tools, and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. For the last ten years of his career, leading to his retirement in 2010, he served as the Diocesan Internal Auditor for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, MA. Steve will be remembered for his love of God and his desire to teach his family about his Catholic faith. He was a consummate provider and protector of his wife and family. He passionately enjoyed his grandchildren, his dogs, and every Pittsburgh sports team: the Steelers, the Pirates, the Penguins and the Panthers. When he wasn’t working on financial spreadsheets or other projects for the church, he could be found playing the organ or on the golf course. Visitation will be held at Northside Chapel Funeral Home 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA on Sunday January 1, 2017 from 5-7PM with Rosary at 7PM. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, 1908 Waleska Highway 108, Jasper, GA on Monday January 2, 2017 at 11AM. There will be lunch at the church, followed by motorcade to Greenlawn Cemetery for military interment, 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA. Those wishing may make donations to Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, Music Program. Checks can be made out to Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, with a note in memo line for “Music Program in memory of Steve Perlaky” and mailed to Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, 1908 Waleska Highway 108, Jasper, GA 30143.

Mr. Stephen John Perlaky

May 26, 1943 - December 26, 2016