What does it take, A must read if you know Jess Perreca Jr.

When do you really start believing what you say to yourself. Wither it be out load or some things you just say to yourself? When do you make a promise to yourself that you really keep?

My weight has been a struggle all my life. I grew up angry at the world and never really did anything about it, till I read a news article about a local man (Larry Coker) that lost I believe at that time over 500 pounds. He was starting up a program for kids that wanted to lose weight. I begged my Mom & Dad to sign me up.

I loved that class and everything about it. I was in an environment where all the kids were felling the same way I did and Larry was our hero. I lost about 65 pounds in that stretch and was on a roll.....

Then one day we all showed up for our weekly meeting and Larry was not there, another week went by and Larry was not there. My parents were paying this Man and he was not there supporting us anymore.

I was crushed and gave up.

Later on in life I would dabble with some other diets and they had minimal results. I then found the Beaumont diet. An all shake diet that surprisingly worked. I lost weight but a trip up north with my friends and a pizza and snacks later saying to myself oh I'll get back on track when we get back home was just the beginning.

I would then gain more weight to only one day wake up to want to do it again.

As determined as ever I started back up on the all shake diet. I was cruising. I was on my way. I lost over 100 pounds only to stumble when my father passed away from cancer. I gained all that weight back and more.

As I sit here and type this, I'm truly in disgust with myself and am looking deep inside me for a new beginning. I need to find a way to control myself and my eating habits. I need to find a way to be more active instead of working my 8 hour day and coming home and sitting in front of the TV and computer.

I've told my wife Amy that I want to join a gym with a trainer and she's very supportive and for it. I have yet to sign up it not because I'm stalling but with the wedding and holidays the money doesn't support it right now.

We have both committed to join weight watchers like we had when we first met and it both worked for us, we'll be starting that the first of the year.

I need to get a hold of my own support system and shake it and tell it that I have many things to live for and goals that I have yet to accomplish.

I'm at my heaviest weight I have ever been at and something needs to change. Wait I NEED TO CHANGE.

There is two goals that I have always made for myself before I leave this world, the first was that I wanted to become a husband. I have fulfilled that goal and the 2nd being that I wanted to be a father.

There's a lot of responsibility that comes with being a father and a husband and that's being able to be here for them. If I want to be a father as much as I say I do then I will make these changes, I will not die on my kids because of something that I feel I can control.

I'm writing this post today as a reminder for myself that I'm promising myself and my future child that I'm going to do everything I can to change my ways.


I know this was long and if your at this point I appreciate all your support.

I will not fail you, me, my wife, or my future family.

Thank You

Memorial Christmas Classic honors organizer

Article on my Dad in the Daily Tribune

Thursday, September 17, 2009 (click date for link to article on daily tribune website)

From 1982 until 2007, when cancer was beginning to overtake him, Daily Tribune Circulation Department District Manager Jess Perreca Sr. scheduled a week of his vacation every December. That's when he and his wife, Bonnie, would work nearly around the clock, along with many volunteers, to gather and pack gifts, toys and food boxes to assure that needy families and seniors had a happy holiday.

The Christmas Classic golf outing was founded 27 years ago to support this annual holiday basket program, which assists needy local families and seniors during the holidays under the auspices of the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Oakland County.

The next generation stepped up to take over the holiday program for Jess, led by former Boys & Girls Club member Matt Lovelace and Joe Ross, and assisted by Tony Piraino, Mike Ripinski and Royal Oak Golf Course General Manager Joe Spatafore. Still, in 2007, severely weakened and losing ground to the disease, Jess insisted on being at the delivery distribution site from early morning on. It would be for the last time.

Jess lost his battle with cancer on Feb. 5, 2008, but the event, now named the Jess Perreca Sr. Memorial Royal Oak Christmas Classic, and the holiday basket program continue in his honor. As many as 250 families and 75 seniors are now helped every year, thanks to the proceeds of the Christmas Classic golf outing and donations from many local businesses, including Holiday Market. Holiday conducts an annual food drive, in which they match customer donations of food and cash one for one.

This year's golf outing was the most successful yet, raising over $10,000, which is a good thing, because demand for holiday assistance is at the highest level ever. And even better, the presenting sponsor, The Miner's Den, is matching every dollar given.

More than 100 golfers turned out on a beautiful sunny day,

Friday, Sept. 11, and stayed for dinner and awards following the tournament. Al Pruner won the 50/50 raffle, but nearly everyone went home with a donated prize.

Paul Slocum, Nick Areddy and Jerry Tarchala, who won closest to the line and closest to the pin contests, participated in a 197-yard hole-in-one shootout for $100,000 with no success, and Jeff Hunt failed to make a 40-foot putt for a $5,000 payout. But a good time was had by all.

If you would like to make a Christmas Classic donation, mail a check, payable to the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Oakland County, to 1545 E. Lincoln Ave., Royal Oak, MI 48067, and note that it's for the Christmas Classic program. Or call Sally Owen at (248) 544-4166, ext. 106, to use a credit card. You can also let Sally know if you or your company would like to adopt a senior or family for the holidays.

When I was a Kid, I used to tell everyone that my Dad was Dudley Moore. Funny I know. There is really no resemblance at all but to me my Dad was a star. Hold a pic up of Moore in my face I would tell you that's my dad....lol. It was a family joke for years. I'm sure my Mother and Father still remember this. But Maybe without even knowing there was some hidden message in why I picked Dudley Moore. I was going through some of my DVD's and came across a movie in which Dudley Moore stared side by side with Kirk Cameron. The name of the Movie "Like Father Like Son" I kind of broke down after seeing that and the memory of me always joking with everyone that my Dad was Dudley Moore was so vivid in my mind that I wanted to write about it. But then it hit me, "Like father Like Son" Couldn't have been more perfect. I am a lot like my father. I mean, I am my own person but the qualities of my father have been branded in me. If I can continue growing up (I still am) and using the tools & life long lessons that my father has taught me and even if it's only half, I'm going to be just fine.

Love & Miss ya every day Dad.



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Listening to: Ben Folds Five - Brick
via FoxyTunes