Nearly 1,000 people attended the funeral of the late Stan Perron this afternoon, with his daughter Elizabeth Perron promising to maintain his legacy as a great philanthropist.
Elizabeth Perron is the only family member on the board of Perron Group and runs the Stan Perron Charitable Trust, which donates about $5 million to 150 charities every year, along with extra one-off donations.
“You have entrusted me to continue with the great philanthropic work of the charitable trust,” Ms Perron said in her eulogy.
“Compassion for others less fortunate than ourselves remains, and will always remain, at the heart of the trust and it’s a privilege for me to uphold this responsibility.
“I promise you I will work hard to follow your example, to maintain your legacy and to live up to the values you have instilled in me.”
Mr Perron, who was raised with little money, died last month at the age of 96 after building a $4 billion fortune.
After achieving early success with earthmoving business Perron Brothers in the 1950s, he acquired the Toyota distribution rights for Western Australia and invested in shopping centres, office towers, airports and other assets.
He is survived by his wife, Jean, and three children, Elizabeth, Roy, and Paul, along with seven grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Governor Kim Beazley, former governors Malcolm McCusker, Ken Michael and Kerry Sanderson, company director Richard Goyder and executives from Toyota’s head office in Tokyo were among the hundreds who attended the funeral at St Georges cathedral.
Caption: Perron family members arriving for the funeral service.
Ms Perron said her father lived his life with strong values and principles.
“You showed us what it means to live with integrity, to be loyal and above all to be honest and always true to your word,” she said.
“Everyone you met from all walks of life, you treated them equally and with respect.
“These values are at the core of who you were as a person
“These are qualities that the rest of us are trying to pass on to our children.”
Ms Perron said every day she was thankful and appreciative to have such a wonderful and supportive father.
“I have always feared the day of losing you,” she said.
“I lost the most inspirational and influential person in my life.”
Ms Perron recalled her father teaching her to ride a bike, initially supporting her before letting her proceed alone.
“You had the same approach at work,” she said.
“You got people started but you didn’t need to watch over every move.
“You trusted them to do their jobs well, you empowered people giving them the freedom and room to work and grow.”
Ms Perron described her father as quietly spoken, only speaking up when he had something to say, a leader by example with a legendary work ethic.
“You expected people to work hard but you worked even harder,” she said.
Ms Perron said she had inherited her father’s night owl habits, waking up in the middle of the night with ideas and writing them down so they could be followed up the next day.
Caption: Roy Perron (with dark glasses) and Paul Perron led the pallbearers after the funeral.
Paul Perron also delivered a eulogy, saying his father worked hard, not for the money but for the success.
“That’s what he enjoyed,” Mr Perron said.
He concluded his eulogy with a quote from the late evangelist pastor Billy Graham.
“If you hear of my death don’t believe a word of it. I have only relocated and am more alive than ever.”
Two of Elizabeth Perron’s daughters had roles at the funeral.
Isabellea De Marte delivered a eulogy, while Ruby De Marte sang the Leonard Cohen song Hallelujah.
Members of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra also performed at the funeral.
