Gene J. Perry

Gene Perry  

Eugene John Perry 90, passed away quietly on June 7, 2025, in his Charlestown, Indiana home, with his family by his side. 

He was born in Ashtabula, Ohio on December 29, 1934, the son of Joseph and Agnes (Laveck) Perry. 

Gene was a lifetime member of Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church and attended Mother of Sorrows Elementary School, he went on to graduate from Ashtabula High School in 1953; he continued his education and received an associate’s degree from John Caroll University. He taught Drafting classes at the Kent State University-Ashtabula Campus. 

Gene married the love of his life, Teresa Caruso, on July 30,1955 and was blessed with 59 years together until her passing in 2014. 

He began his 47-year career at the Reliance Electric Ashtabula Plant where he advanced from draftsman to engineering to sales management. One of his proudest achievements was the design of the Reliance Mach 3 electric motor as part of the Russ Mills Large Motor Team. 

Gene was such a talented woodworker that he designed and built his own home on West 13th Street. He enjoyed playing golf as part of the Reliance Golf League. Later in life, he was an avid antique and vintage automobile enthusiast and restored everything from a Model A Ford to the Chevy Belair. 

Gene was preceded in death by his father Joseph Perry, his mother Agnes (Laveck) Perry, his sister Teresa Dellerba, his brother Walter Perry, his sister Carol Peet and his wife Teresa (Caruso) Perry. 

“Poppy” as he was called by his grandchildren, was a devoted family man and the patriarch of the family for his entire life, is survived by his brothers: Joseph Patrick (Lynda) Perry and Francis Bernard (Diane) Perry; his son, Michael Perry, and his wife Susan; his daughters: Michelle Perry and Jeanine Potter; his grandchildren:  Jessica (Jessie) Bumstead, Nicholas Potter, Vincent Perry and Joseph Potter; and his great-grandchildren: Quinn Potter and Reece Bumstead. 

Calling hours will be on Saturday, June 14th from 10am to 12pm at Czup Funeral Home, 1329 Lake Avenue, Ashtabula. The graveside service will be held immediately afterward at St. Joseph Cemetery on Carpenter Road. 

Donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in lieu of flowers. 

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