Basil grew up in Fresno where he attended Winchell Elementary, Sequoia Junior High, and Roosevelt High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from Cal State University, Fresno.
Basil loved sports. He played baseball, football, and basketball while at Roosevelt High School. He played baseball at Fresno City College and was a member of the Rams State Championship teams of 1961 and 1962. He then transferred to Fresno State where he served as an athletic trainer for the Bulldog baseball and football teams. After graduation, he taught PE and coached baseball at Sequoia Junior High.
As a young boy, Basil worked during the summers at the family business, Sunnyland Bulgur Company. He also worked at Bedrosian Trucking Service with his grandfather and uncles. Basil met the love of his life, Kathleen Antonino, and they were married on April 3, 1970. Basil and Kathy moved to Bakersfield where they welcomed their oldest daughter, Tiffany in 1971. They moved back to Fresno in 1972 and welcomed their middle daughter, Dedi in 1973. Two years later, they were elated to welcome their son, BJ who would carry on the Perch family name. In 1976, they moved the family to Visalia, CA where Basil opened and managed the Valley Steel Construction Visalia office.
In 1993, Basil and Kathy decided to open their own construction business, BJ Perch Construction. Basil was responsible for many building projects in and around Visalia such as: Groppetti Automotive, Allen Group, Family Health Care Network, Key West Shopping Center and Buchman and Mitchell Insurance. His first few projects were Mary’s Vineyard Shopping Center and George Zarounian’s Cadillac Dealership. Through his work as a contractor, Basil built life-long friendships throughout the community. His assertion that, “our name is our greatest asset” guided him through each project. He always told potential clients that he would only do business with people who had these three things: HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND LOYALTY, which were the company’s core values. Basil was known for his straightforward attitude and insistence on perfection. Basil was just shy of celebrating 30 years as a business owner.
Basil was a true Visalian. He strongly believed in building and giving back to the community that he loved. Over the years, he was a member of many community organizations including Downtown Rotary (1976–2022) – Paul Harris Fellow, Visalia Education Foundation (1997–2022), College of Sequoia Foundation Board (1997 – 2001), Triple X Fraternity (1976-2022) Kaweah Health Foundation (1995–2022) and a Founding Member of The Boys and Girls Club of the Sequoias (1999–2022). Basil proudly served as a Visalia City Council member from (1989 – 1995) and served as Mayor of Visalia from (1993-1995).
Basil was preceded in death by his parents Jivon and Mary Perch. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Kathy, his daughters Tiffany Perch Wainwright (Daniel), Dedi Perch Somavia (Bryan) and son BJ Perch (Megan). He leaves ten adoring grandchildren: Mitchell, Nicholas, Ashley and BJ Wainwright; Sydney and Shelby Somavia; and, Jacob, Alex, Tyler and Kylie Perch. He is also survived by his sister Melene Ouzounian (Jack), sister-in-law Barbara Daniels (Ellis), nieces, nephew and many cousins.
Basil was happiest when surrounded by friends and family. Sunday family dinners were a weekly tradition. Basil loved nothing more than having the whole family gathered to share a meal. The Perch Family would like to express our gratitude and deep appreciation for the love, support and prayers that all his dear friends have provided.
A Christian mass will be held on Friday, January 6, 2023, at 1:00pm at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Yettem. There will be a celebration of life immediately following the service at Bella Vita in Visalia.
