LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Catholic Charities Indigent Burial Program in Louisville, with the help of dozens of people, will provide a Canadian World War Two veteran with a proper burial, despite being unable to locate any of his family members.

On Aug. 9, Ken Pergantes passed away at 97 years old. 

"The deputy coroner told us about him, they started looking for family, couldn't find anyone," said Matt Whisman.

Whisman is the director for Catholic Charities' Indigent Burial Program. The program helps bury the deceased for families who cannot afford cremation or burial, or when family of the deceased cannot be located.

Whisman said all that was known about Pergantes was his age, and that he was a member of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Lyndon.

Father Jon Boukis, presiding priest at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, knew Pergantes served during a war, was originally from Canada, and worked for Travelers Companies working in insurance.

"We had not necessarily always kept in contact because it wasn't unusual for him to not be around for a month or two or three at a time," Father Boukis said. "He came to church rarely, mostly because of his age."

Boukis noticed the times he did attend church he was reserved, and always sat in the same pew.

"They (parishioners) may not have known a lot, but from his personhood, from who he was in the church, they felt drawn to him," Boukis said.

With little information about Pergantes' history, Whisman reached out to the Veterans Affairs. There were no records of Pergantes serving in the U.S. military.

Then, Whisman reached out the Canadian Consulate in Detroit, Michigan. That led them on the path to get records from Canada's national archives.

"Then we got proof that he did serve and was discharged honorably," Whisman said.

Pergantes had served during World War Two in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

With this information, Whisman worked with Boukis and others to ensure Pergantes received a proper funeral service honoring both his Greek Orthodox faith and military service.

It proved to be a monthslong task, given the paperwork, communication between two countries and securing funds.

While burying an allied veteran is possible in the United States, Whisman said it is a challenge, and felt it was best to bury him in Canada.

Given the Greek Orthodox faith does not allow cremation, it also meant Pergantes' remains would need to be driven or flown to Canada, typically more costly than cremation.

"The community has really come together to make it happen, like I said, it's been a couple of months," Whisman said. "But it took two countries, several different offices, governments, community, the church, one of our lawyers helped with the legal process for probate, to try to get access for some funds."

Proven to be a lot of work, both Whisman and Boukis said it is all about honoring Pergantes' life and sacrifice to serve.

"We're getting close to losing this generation, but it's just about the respect and getting him back," Pergantes said. 

"He'll be put to rest properly, which is not only appropriate for somebody who is Greek Orthodox, but I think it's even more appropriate, or perhaps it's more touching to us, because he is a World War Two vet," Boukis said. "As we know, World War Two vets, they went into battle knowing that they may not survive. "

A Greek Orthodox funeral service will be held at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church on Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. The public is welcome to attend.

"That's the best thing that could happen. I would love to see the church full for him," said Boukis.

Following the ceremony, Whisman will escort Pergantes' body as it is driven to Canada. His final resting place will be at the National Military Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario. A military service will take place Nov. 18 and the Canadian Legion will help inter him.

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