'Mr. Visalia' Basil Perch remembered for his love of city
Basil Perch "loved Visalia."
Perch, a longtime Visalian and civil servant, died on Dec. 12 at the age of 80. He served on numerous councils, committees and boards throughout his lifetime, including Visalia City Council and Kaweah Health Foundation Board.
"His impact will last for decades," said Lane Fye, Perch's longtime friend and colleague.
Perch started his professional career in education, earning his teaching credential from Fresno State. After graduating, he taught PE and coached baseball at Sequoia Junior High.
In 1993, Perch and his wife, Kathy Perch, founded BJ Perch Construction, with a corporate office in Visalia.
BJ Perch Construction handles industrial, commercial and health care construction, according to the company's website. Perch was awarded contracts for major Visalia construction projects like Mary’s Vineyard Shopping Center and the Support Services Building for Kaweah Delta Health Care District.
He was elected to Visalia City Council in 1989 and served as mayor from 1993 to 1995. During his tenure on council, Perch helped bring several well-known projects to the community such as the city's industrial park. He resigned as mayor in 1995 over a conflict of interest surrounding the development of the auto mall on Ben Maddox Way.
Valley journalist John Lindt covered Perch's political career for many years and fondly remembered the councilman, with a cigar in mouth.
"He was a character," Lindt said. "He's Mr. Visalia... He always had the interest of Visalia in mind."
Current Visalia Mayor Brian Poochigian called Perch a "friend" and a "great man."
"His work, both in the public and private sector, has truly contributed to the betterment of this community. His involvement and investment aimed at keeping Visalia the Jewel of the Valley," Poochigian said. "He was an invaluable resource."
Perch brought together his civic and development expertise as a founding member of Visalia’s Building Review Committee and the Economic Development Committee. He also served on the Measure N Oversite Committee, a half-cent sales tax that brings additional money to the city for roadways, parks and public safety services.
At the time of his death, Perch was a Kaweah Health Foundation board member. He served on the hospital's foundation board from 1995 to 2022.
He was active in more a dozen capital fund-raising campaigns that impacted and improved health care at Kaweah Health, Foundation Director Liz Wynn said.
"He was passionate about keeping quality health care available locally and raised funds for many projects which will impact our community for generations," Wynn said.
Perch helped raise money for the Kaweah Helipad, the Acequia Wing, the emergency department expansion, the Broderick Pavilion, and the Mother/Baby Expansion.
"It was hard to say no when Basil came asking for funds for Kaweah and he was not afraid to ask," Wynn said. "The Kaweah Leadership and Foundation Board Members want to thank the Perch family for their long time support of the district and express our deepest sympathies on your loss."
A Christian mass will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 6, at historic St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Yettem. There will be a celebration of life following the service at Bella Vita in Visalia.
Memories and expressions of sympathy can be shared at www.millerchapel.com for the Perch family.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: 'Mr. Visalia' Basil Perch remembered for his love of city
