John Perucca

Dave and I were having that conversation last night at a wake in a local pub for an old friend of many years, John Perucca, the craziest Irish-Italian that Kansas City and Westport in particular ever knew. John was the founder and long time owner of Pryde's in Westport and long ago gave me my first paying graphics job, painting letters on the side of the Pryde's truck. John hosted some legendary parties over the years, including in true Irish style, one last great hooley at his own wake last night. The line to get in that snaked out the door, past the hearse, and around the block of Dave's Stagecoach Inn was a testament to the lives that John touched over his lifetime, especially as a champion of all things Westport. He will be missed.

R.I.P. John.