Toni Antoinette Perciak's Obituary
Toni Antoinette Perciak (nee Kness), age 75, beloved wife to John Perciak for 53 years, passed peacefully April 10 after a courageous 12-year battle with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. Born leap year of 1948, in Cleveland, OH, she grew up surrounded by a large family who influenced her to be a loving woman who always gave her time to others. She graduated from Villa-Angela HS with honors, earning recognition as a Benedictine HS Homecoming Queen and being invited to try out for the John F. Kennedy High School Olympic track team. In August 1969, she married her HS sweetheart John, who shared her love for family. Together they had 4 children: Matt, Toni, Luke and Julie. Toni cared for her children while simultaneously earning a bachelor’s degree from Ursuline College. She worked for The United Way before taking a position as an Administrator at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lorain, OH, for 13 yrs. During this time, she served as a Strongsville baseball commissioner while being actively involved in local school fundraising and coaching various community sports teams. On full scholarship, she earned her Master’s Degree in Social Administration from Case Western University. She later became a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in OH, working for several of the metro areas largest and most prestigious facilities. After her diagnosis in 2011, Toni kept going and earned a special education teaching certificate, teaching in the Cleveland School District for 9 more years until her retirement.
Toni was an extraordinary woman who lit up a room with her ever present smile and ability to bring hope and fun to any situation. Whether an advocate, listening friend, or educator, she will be remembered as an inspiration to those who saw her push through the most challenging times. Her determination and love for life will be missed. Toni is survived by her husband John Perciak of Strongsville, her siblings Johnny Kness, Marce Longer, Willy Kness (Kathy), in-law Bob Cresante, her children Matt Perciak (Cindy), Toni Gustke (Matt), Luke Perciak (Jessica), Julieanne Siford (Kenneth), and sixteen grandchildren Jack, Devin, Haley, Brandon, Hannah, Olivia, Mya, Lucas, Makenna, Logan, Felicity, Elysia, Kara, Alyssum, Ashlyn, Emiliana, and lifelong friends Jimmy and Kathy Slogar. Toni is preceded in death by her grandmother Emily Jankovic, parents John and Emily Kness, brother Jerome Kness, sister Amie Cresante, and brother-in-law-Bob Longer. Please join us to honor Toni: VISITATION-Sunday, April 16, 2023 from 1-7pm @Jardines Funeral Home; FUNERAL MASS-Monday, April 17, 2023, 10am St. Joseph Church, Strongsville. Lunch and procession to All Soul’s Cemetery after mass.
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