Perry Gaynor Hardley's Obituary
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Perry who left us peacefully on April 9, 2024, at the age of 56 after a long battle with mycosis fungoides and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Perry was a devoted husband, loving father, and loyal friend.
Perry was born on April 21, 1967, in Traverse City, Michigan to Ronald G. Hardley and Peggy Jean Hardley -Schmidt (Waukazoo). He spent his early school years in Traverse City, Tennessee, and Alabama, and later moved to Ypsilanti, where he graduated from Ypsilanti High School in Michigan.
Perry’s true passion, however, was his family. He married the love of his life Carol Slottke, and together they raised four children: Steve, Eric, Kevin, and Luke. Perry was a dedicated father who always put his family first.
Perry had a great love for the outdoors and being a dad. Many of his favorite activities involved spending time outside with his family, such as visiting state parks, gardening, fishing, hunting, playing sports, biking, and walking the dogs. In his youth, he was an avid fisherman and spent many weekends camping and boating with his family and friends. Perry's warm smile, sense of humor, and kind heart touched the lives of everyone who knew him. Although Perry was not a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippawa Indians, he was proud of his native American heritage.
Perry’s greatest achievement was in raising his children and living long enough to see them become successful:
Steve Barrett, a physician assistant in Massachusetts, married to Amy and has 3 children with one more on the way.
Eric Barrett, an audiologist in Minnesota, married to Nicki and currently deployed overseas in the Army Reserves.
Kevin Hardley, an actuary in New Hampshire.
Perry is survived by his loving wife, Carol, his mother, Peggy, and his children, Steve (Amy), Eric (Nicki), Kevin, and his grandchildren, Caileigh, Brooke, and Charlotte. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Arnold and Virginia (Gaynor) Hardley, and Viola Waukazoo, his father, Ronald G. Hardley, and his son, Luke Daniel Hardley.
A memorial service to celebrate Perry’s’ life will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024, from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indian’s satellite office located on 845 Business Park Drive (off 3-mile Road), Traverse City Michigan.
Memorial contributions in his honor may be donated to The Lymphoma Research Foundation. Perry's memory will live on in our hearts forever. May he rest in peace. Please leave a message of comfort for Perry’s family or sign his guestbook at www.EinederFuneralHomes.com
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