Michael Paul Perry

Michael Paul Perry (aka Shitzee, Mike, Mikey), 46, of Chicago (Des Plaines), IL passed away on Monday, January 13, 2025, after a long and brave journey of Glioblastoma. Mike was a die hard Chicago Sports Fan, an avid golfer, bowler, & napper, who loved to go fishing, watch movies, had artistic drawing talent, loved music of many genres, danced to his own beat, and you could find him wearing a sports hat, silver chain, sunglasses, headphones, and a pair of Jordan’s from his sneaker collection on any given day. To know Mike was to love Mike. He had a brilliant mind, was down to earth, well liked and loved by everyone who knew him. Mike loved everyone and was the most generous person you could have ever met. Mike is survived by and is deeply missed by many including his loving, dedicated, best-friend, and wife, Kari (nee Burns), his bonus children, Andrew (Amanda) Farkas and Liliana Farkas, his fur baby Charlie, his Uncle Bobby and Aunt Kathy, many nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, and countless long-time close friends in which he considered his family and most often, lovingly, referred to him as Shitzee or Shibbies. He also leaves behind a mother, Sandra Perry (nee Lewandowski) and two sisters, Cheryl O’Donnell (nee Perry) and Lynn Perry. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Paul Perry, and most recently, his fur baby Rusko. Mikey dedicated over 25 years of his life as a Permit Expediter in the City of Chicago where he was well respected by many and made lasting business relationships which lead to several strong friendships. When diagnosed with this deadly brain cancer, Mike proclaimed he would be the Poster Child of Glioblastoma, and he kept that positive attitude throughout his courageous battle of five+ years. He attributed his longevity with this disease to the Neuro team and care he received at UIC (initial craniotomy - Dr. Slavin), his Northwestern Medicine team/family: Neuro Oncologist, Dr. Rimas Lukas, Neuro Oncology Nurses, Ray Lezon & Meg Schwartz, Neuro Surgeon, Adam Sonabend, Radiologist, Dr. Sachdev, and Clinical Research Project Manager, Laura Sharp, as well as his wonderful team in the infusion department, Lily, Annetta, et, al… and the BrainUp Foundation, who helped fund the clinical trial he took part in. Michael was adamant to continue the fight against Glioblastoma, even in his death, by donating his brain and spinal cord to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for clinical research. A Celebration of Life in Mike’s honor will be held on Sunday, February 2, 2025 from 2pm-7pm at the Irish-American Heritage Center 4626 N Knox Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60630

Michael Paul Perry

May 15, 1978 - January 13, 2025