Irvan Perez - Later Life

Later Life

Perez performed his décimas for King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía of Spain during their visit to Jackson, Mississippi in 2001. The Spanish Monarchs were in Mississippi to visit the "The Majesty of Spain" art exhibit at the time. Perez also made several trips to the Canary Islands over the years, where he was often honored by both residents and the government of the islands. He also served as the president of the Canary Island Descendants Association.

Perez's wife, Louise Perez, whom he had been married to for 64 years, died on June 7, 2005, shortly before Hurricane Katrina struck the state. Louise was a well known expert in Isleño cuisine. Perez lost his home when Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana that same year. He also lost irreplaceable recordings of his father's songs, as well as most of his woodworking tools.

Perez remained active in the arts until the end of his life. He sang at a public concert just three weeks before his death and carved one of his ducks the day he died. He suffered a heart attack at his home in Poydras, Louisiana. He died later that day at the age of 85 at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans on January 8, 2008.

His funeral was held on January 11, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Saint Bernard, Louisiana. Perez's funeral mass was the first held at the church since its restoration following Hurricane Katrina. Perez was buried in St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery. He was survived by four daughters, 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter.

Perez was one of the last of the Isleños décimas singers. There are a few dozen native Isleños speakers left in Louisiana, but almost no one in the community can sing the décimas. The government of the Canary Islands declared Perez the "last of the decima singers" following his death and dedicated a memorial Mass to him in January 2008.