NORTH CANTON — The Walsh University community is mourning the loss of long-time faculty member Dr. Ralph Perrico, who died in his Boardman home after an extended illness June 22 at the age of 70.
According to a university spokesperson, “Dr. Perrico devoted his life to teaching English and was a cherished member of the Walsh faculty for 30 years. His creative and engaging classes drew many students to the study of literature. Reading and traveling were two of his passions.”
Ralph Perrico was born on April 18, 1940, in Youngstown, to John and Mary Perrico. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Latin and English from Youngstown State University in 1962, a master’s in English from the University of Arkansas in 1964 and a Ph.D. from Kent State University in 1972.
Prior to being hired at Walsh, he taught at Kent State. He joined the English Department of Walsh in 1965. His 30 years of service to Walsh University included many different capacities — chair of the Humanities Department, director of freshman orientation, director of the reading program, chair of the accreditation team, and academic adviser to international students. Dr. Perrico lived in Walsh’s first residence hall from 1966 to 1969, at the request of Brother James Lacasse, to help in the then all-male Menard Hall.
Through the years, Dr. Perrico presented innumerable literary readings and workshops to area high school and civic organizations. He was instrumental in bringing computer technology to Walsh’s English students and in establishing the school’s “writing across the curriculum” standards. During his final year at Walsh in 1995, Dr. Perrico chaired the Jewish Studies Task Force, which included representation from both Walsh and the Canton Jewish community. His leadership brought about the first Wilkof Scholar Lecture and the development of an interdisciplinary course in Holocaust studies.
In 1987, Dr. Perrico was the third recipient of the “Outstanding Educator” award. Accepting the award, he said, “I hope the roots planted at Walsh will nurture and sustain you, and I hope what you have learned here will help you achieve your dreams."
Dr. Perrico left Walsh University in 1995 to teach literature at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa., until his retirement in 2003.
He is survived by his sister, Lucille Ann Detesco; nieces, a nephew and great-nephews.