A Legacy That Lives On: The Perry Family's Lasting Impact on Health Care

For more than a century, the Perry family has helped shape Oshawa through business leadership, philanthropy and a deep commitment to giving back. Today, that commitment continues through a lasting investment in the future of health care across Durham Region.

A long-time donor, volunteer and friend of Lakeridge Health Foundation, Steve Perry was passionate about Oshawa and the services that supported the community. He believed local families should have access to exceptional health care close to home, and he understood the important role philanthropy plays in making that possible.

It was that passion that led Steve, together with his family, to make an extraordinary $5 million gift to Lakeridge Health Foundation in 2018. It remains one of the largest donations in support of our regional health care system and reflects his enduring trust in local health care leaders to invest where it is needed most.

Steve directed $2 million of the family's gift to the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre, helping enhance cancer care services for patients throughout Durham Region.

"The other $3 million, I'll just let them spend it wherever the need be," Steve said at the time. "They know more than I do about what the needs are."

That trust was rooted in a lifetime of connection to Oshawa and a deep appreciation for the care his family had received over the years.

The story of the Perry family in Oshawa spans more than 125 years.

Five generations of the family have called Oshawa home, beginning in 1901 when Steve's grandfather settled in the community. In 1929, Steve's father was born at Oshawa Hospital, followed by Steve and generations of Perry family members, including his sister Lisa, his sons and his grandchildren.

The family's roots extended beyond their home life. Through businesses including Harry O. Perry Fuels, Prairie Plumbing and Perry Mechanical, the Perry family became deeply woven into the fabric of the community.

As employers, residents and philanthropists, they understood that a strong community depends on strong local health care.

One of the reasons the Perry family cared so deeply about supporting Lakeridge Health Oshawa was the care Steve's late son, Chris, received during his battle with anorexia and bulimia.

"My eldest son struggled for eleven years," Steve had said. "We were in and out of the hospital as many as 50 times so he could receive treatment to boost his electrolytes."

When reflecting on that difficult chapter, Steve often spoke about the compassion shown by the doctors and nurses who cared for Chris.

"They treated him with respect and dignity despite his conditions," he said. "Every single time they saw him, they cared for my son with compassion. That impressed me."

Those experiences inspired the family's transformational gift and their desire to ensure other patients and families could continue to receive exceptional care when they needed it most.

"The Perry family is an outstanding example of the community spirit we see in Durham Region," said Yves Gadler, CEO, Lakeridge Health Foundation, at the announcement of the family's gift in 2018. "Steve in particular has played a significant role in the history of our Foundation and Hospital. His generosity both as a volunteer and donor has and will continue to make a remarkable impact."

Steve's support extended far beyond philanthropy.

He generously shared his time and leadership through the Heroes of Hope Campaign, which helped bring the Cancer Centre to life, and later served as an Honourary Chair of Our Cancer Campaign.

Sadly, Steve passed away in 2022.

And his impact continues to be felt throughout the community he loved.

Steve’s leadership helped inspire donors throughout Durham Region to contribute more than $21 million in support of cancer care. More importantly, his generosity helped ensure local families could access life-changing care closer to home.

"I really enjoy being a donor because it feels good to give," Steve said in 2018. "I'm a huge believer in giving back to the community, and the community has been great to us. If you're thinking about making a donation, know that you are going to help so many people."

While Steve is no longer with us, the values that guided his philanthropy continue to inspire the Perry family today.

"Steve believed in giving back to the community that had given so much to our family," said Janis Perry, Steve's wife.

"We will always be grateful for the care and compassion we’ve received at Lakeridge Health. Seeing his gift continue to support better care close to home means a great deal to me and our entire family. I am so proud of the compassionate and generous man he was."

Today, nearly eight years after the Perry family's extraordinary gift, Steve's vision for the future of health care continues to take shape.

Through the generosity and vision of the Perry family and a partnership between Lakeridge Health, Ontario Tech University and Lakeridge Health Foundation, the Perry Family Chair in Advanced Technology and Quality Systems has been established. The Chair is only the second research Chair at Lakeridge Health and the first made possible through philanthropic investment led by Lakeridge Health Foundation.

This Chair will help bring leading-edge research and innovation to Durham Region, supporting new discoveries and solutions that improve the care experience for patients and families while helping shape the future of health care close to home.

Building on the partnership between Lakeridge Health and Ontario Tech University, the Chair will help connect academic research with clinical care, accelerating innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics and quality systems. Through this work, the Chair will support new approaches that improve patient experiences, elevate health care quality and strengthen care delivery across Durham Region.

“Quality care is at the heart of everything we do, and we recognized an opportunity to strengthen how research, advanced technology and quality improvement come together to address challenges across our health system," explains Dr. Randy Wax, Chief of Staff, Lakeridge Health. "The Perry Family Chair gives us dedicated academic expertise to work alongside our clinical and research teams, explore new approaches and evaluate their impact in real health-care settings."

Dr. Mehran Ebrahimi has been named the inaugural holder of the Perry Family Chair in Advanced Technology and Quality Systems and will lead work that advances innovation, research and quality improvement across Lakeridge Health.

"Through our partnership with Lakeridge Health, we have an opportunity to bring Ontario Tech’s expertise in AI research closer to patient care, working alongside hospital teams to develop tools that address real health care needs," said Dr. Ebrahimi. "With the Perry family’s generous support, our goal is to translate advances in AI responsibly into practical solutions that support clinical decision-making and improve outcomes for patients in our community."

Steve believed in supporting the community that had given so much to his family. Today, through the Perry Family Chair in Advanced Technology and Quality Systems, that spirit of generosity continues to shape the future of health care in Durham Region.

Through the leadership of Lakeridge Health, the academic partnership of Ontario Tech University and the philanthropic support made possible through Lakeridge Health Foundation, the Perry family's legacy is helping drive innovation, improve patient care and create healthier futures for generations to come.

For the Perry family, this investment is about more than a gift. It is the continuation of a commitment that spans generations and a promise to keep building a stronger, healthier community for everyone who calls Durham Region home.

Their generosity ensures that Steve's compassion, vision and belief in giving back will continue make a difference for patients and families for generations to come.

For more information on the Perry Family Chair in Advanced Technology and Quality Systems, read the official media release.