The service is a celebration of the life and times of one of the most talented sports stars of yesteryear who made history at his Alma Mater – St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya. In life, Anton led a meaningful life – surrounded by his loving family, close friends and relatives.
He was a legend at St. Peter's in the 50s and 60s and his schoolmates still remember the burly, well-built strapper of a cricketer rip through the batting line-up of many a school side. He had match figures of 7 for 11 against the mighty Thomians and had them reeling – 39 for 9, just staving off defeat. He had figures of 8 for 21 against Ananda College at Bambalapitiya. The feats go on. It was a treat for us to see Anton walk into the field to bat – the eager spectators were certain that he would lift any bowler of repute right out of the grounds. And he did. He dicatated with bat and ball.
By: Upali Obeyesekere – President, JPAA Canada
Anton was the cynosure of all eyes as a young schoolboy of 15 years when he had his baptism into the strong St. Peter's College Cricket XI captained by Jayantha Fernando, in 1957. He had a phenomenal year and never looked back. He was rated the fastest schoolboy bowler of his time and would have played for Ceylon, for sure – had it not been for the fact he left his homeland and journeyed across the seas to Southern California in 1962, in search of greener pastures. He was an equally brilliant athlete (Putt Shot, Discuss, 100M, Long Jump and Relays). He also played Rugby and Tennis for his Alma Mater. A true Peterite right to the end!
Anton was a tremendous source of inspiration and strength to the Peterites in California who looked up to him for friendship and advocacy. He was a generous human being, loving family man, loyal friend and above all a good Catholic to his dying day.
Oprah Winfrey once said, ""Lots of friends want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down". In translation, I know that someone was Anton. He always stood by his close friends.
OBITUARY: ANTON PERERA – beloved husband of Marlene, son of Ixida and Vincent Perera, brother of Laurel Costa. Father of Sharlene Parkinson, Yohan Perera and Sheryl Mazzella. Grandfather of Cody, Tristan and Ian Parkinson, Nicholas, Emma, Christopher and Victoria Perera and Gianna Mazzella passed away at a Los Angeles Hospital, on February 20, 2014.
