The Life & Times of Ralph J. Perk
Timeline of Events
The timeline below includes just some of the major events in Mayor Perk's prolific life. A more detailed timeline is also available.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1914 | Born on January 19th of Czech/Slovak descent. |
| 1914-99 | Member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church. |
| 1929 | Dropped out of East Tech High School. |
| 1935 | Joined the 13th Ward Republican Club. |
| 1938-42 | Office Manager Perk Realty Co. |
| 1940 | Married Lucille Gagliardi had 7 children, 19 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren. |
| 1941-45 | Received medical exemption from service. |
| 1943 | Joined the Knights of Columbus. |
| 1948 | Young Republicans Campaign Manager for Presidential candidate Robert A. Taft. |
| 1952-63 | Part time Executive Assistant to Republican State/National Chairman Ray C. Bliss. |
| 1953-61 | Served as Cleveland City Councilman from the 13th Ward. |
| 1955 | Youngest recipient of the "Catholic Man of the Year" award. |
| 1959 | Founded American Nationalities Movement. |
| 1962 | Elected County Auditor by 20,000 votes. |
| 1966, 70 | Re-elected County Auditor. |
| 1971 | Elected Cleveland Mayor by defeating George V. Voinovich in the primary. |
| 1972 | Burned hair at a ribbon cutting ceremony at the American Society of Metals convention. |
| Criticized by media when Mrs. Perk turned down an invitation to a White House reception. | |
| 1972, 75 | Re-elected Mayor established Regional Sewer District and Regional Transit Authority. |
| 1974 | Ran for U.S. Senate, won the primary but lost the election to John H. Glenn. |
| 1977 | Lost mayoral primary to Dennis Kucinich and Edward F. Feighan. |
| 1978 | Founded Ralph J. Perk & Associates, Inc. |
| 1999 | Died of prostate cancer on April 21st |
| 2003 | Inducted into Republican Party Cuyahoga County Hall of Fame. |
