It has been 1 year to date that we lost our beloved Joe. You are missed and thought of often, Joe!
Love and hugs to Becca and Emma. 

It is still hard to believe that our sweet, gentle, loving Joe has departed from us too soon.  

Joe, you ALWAYS opened your home to me and my family with open arms, a huge smile, and of course...FOOD!  I will always remember how you would have ideas of things to do with my kids and how excited you were to show them something new.  You would always snuggle with them on the couch watching cartoons (even the ones I said they couldn't watch--southpark specifically! :-) )  You were an amazing chef and BBQ master!  I always said you should open a restaurant--you would just smile--basking in the complement.  

When Emma came into our family you were sooooo in love!  She was everything to you.  You could see it in the way you looked at her with marvel and wonder.  You were always so PROUD of each and everything she did.  

You will always be loved and remembered.  I love you, Joe.
Until we are together again in Heaven,
Sara

It is hard to find the correct thoughts or words to fully honor the man who made a life and family with my childhood Bestie, Becca, and was a beloved friend for my whole adult life.

To say Joe was the master of the grill is an understatement. Over three decades, and in the chaos associated with a group of 4 Mercer Island "girls" and their families (plus and minus various and important friends), Joe found his happy place at the barbeque. We are all just a little rounder and happier for having known and been fed by Joe. Even while feeding the hordes,  Joe still managed to find the time to teach the kids poker with  Big Al,  watch cartoons,  and to deliver a quiet but always well-timed zinger that revealed his amazingly quick wit. Joe was also so talented at creating and fixing things. The home he and Becca created, including a gorgeous pool, was not only a labor of love but was also a testament to his skills and ability to get things done. 

But, honestly, the thing that for me most defined Joe was how much he loved his daughter. Fatherhood didn't just happen to Joe, he chose fatherhood. More specifically, Joe and Becca chose Emma. And Joe loved Emma without reservation. He was a gentle, silly and supportive dad. And that unreserved love and support is evident in the amazing, self-assured and generous-spirted person Emma has grown to be. So, at the end of the day, that's what I will remember about Joe. 

Godspeed Joe. I'll look forward to that well cooked turkey burger that I know you will have waiting for me on the other side. 

Jill

We remember many Thanksgivings- we would come over, and Joe would be in the kitchen,
the food would be totally prepared .  Rebecca would tell us about all the food Joe had made- one year it was a deep fried turkey, a baked turkey, mashed potatoes, and so much more!
Joe would smile and enjoy the praise, as we marveled at everything being so well organized, and ready to go!
We also remember seeing Joe quietly sitting at the table in the back yard, maybe relaxing or having a cigarette, he would smile and watch the kids, playing on the grass, or in the pool, in the hot sun.
These are some of our favorite memories of Joe!
Thinking good thoughts of Joe, and wishing the best to his family, Rebecca and Emma.

To the biggest kid I'll ever know, thank you. Thank you for always taking time to watch cartoons with me, taking me drag racing once I finally got my learners permit, building a pool in your backyard for me (well, not just me, but I kind of :)) to swim in when mom and I would come visit for spring break. 

Although I'm deeply saddened you won't be around to share some of those experiences with Emma, I'm incredibly grateful to have shared that time with you and will always cherish those memories. 

Give Mishka a big kiss for me. 

Xoxo,
Madi Roo

Emma, 
We are so sorry, for your loss. Your dad was a wonderful, caring man. He loved you so much. 
Best wishes. We love you so much. Try and have a  nice Christmas.
🤗💜

Joe we are blessed to have had you in 
our family- we will miss your infectious laugh and your fantastic cooking especially BBQ! Sorry you had to leave us so soon- you were so loved by our family!
See you on the other side brother-in-law!
Amy and Dave

Joe and family 
   We are so sorry for the loss of Joe , hearing of his passing  is heartbreaking  news to our family.  Joe is the father to Emma ( our niece)  and the Uncle Joe  to our boys Bruce and Ian Opsal.  He was so full of life and so darn funny always on ...
Always coming up with a line  or two and maybe see a scratch on the head if you didnt  get his humor  .. We did !!!
He had great stories  was a great cook and his greatest  love was Emma  ....we will miss you Joe... Bruce and Jonelle


To my veteran brother, it was a pleasure being your friend for some 35 years, we’ve shared many a happy moments I’m going to miss you very much, I still cannot accept your departure,  R.I.P. Joe till we meet again Love You 

I've known Joe since 2006.  We met because our daughters went to the same daycare center as toddlers.  We created family friendships because our daughters did almost everything together!  

Joe was an important part of that friendship.  He asked if he could pickup Kiana and Emma from daycare so they could continue playing together at the Perger residence.  Kiana loved and trusted Joe!  We did too!!

This arrangement continued for years!  The girls stayed together through elementary, middle, and activities in high school.   Joe made sure this happened!

Joe's focus was always on Emma.  He loved her!  I saw it in everything he did!  He quietly shared that caring feeling with all the kids that came around -- and there are many!  He is a loving, shy, gentle soul.

Joe, if you're reading this (and I know you are!!), know that we love and miss you.  I'm grateful for the kindness you've always shown, your quietness and then that cute laugh that comes out of nowhere!!  You are missed and loved!  

I will see you on the other side on day!!  I miss you my dear friend!

-The Badgette Family ❤


OBITUARY

Josef Perger Jr.

December 1, 1961 – November 28, 2021

Palm Eastern Mortuary & Cemetery

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