John J. Perrillo
Funeral Information
Home:
Monroe, NY
Date of Death:
January 19, 2012
Place of Birth:
New York, NY
Birthdate:
April 04, 1922
Age:
89
Mass:
Friday, January 27, 2012 10:00 AM Sacred Heart Church, Monroe, NY
Visitation:
Thursday, January 26, 2012 3-7 PM at Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Homes, Monroe, NY
Interment:
St. Columba Cemetery, Chester, NY
Biography
John Joseph Perrillo, 89, died Thursday, January 19, 2012 from a long battle with heart disease. Son of the late John and Rondinella Perrillo, he was born on April 4, 1922 in New York City. He moved to Monroe in 1960.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rose Perrillo; his sons, Victor and Richard Perrillo; his daughter, Johanna DeMaria and her husband, Nicola; his brothers, Charles Perrillo; James Perrillo and his wife, Camille; Rocky Perrillo and his wife, Norma; Michael Perrillo and his wife, Margie; his sister, Mary Cirasola; four grandchildren, Theresa DeMaria-Valdes and her husband, Gonzalo; Joseph DeMaria and his wife, Anne; Patricia DeMaria; and Nicole Vitale and her husband, Robert; three great grandchildren, Angelo, Marco, and Nicholas; and many other family members and close friends.
His children, Jamsie and John, and his brother, Tony Perrillo, predeceased him.
John served in the U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division in Europe during the winter of World War II. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was wounded in the leg by an exploding shell. After his hospital recovery, John returned home and married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Rose, whom he met when he was 14 years old. Rose teases that her "Johnny" was the only boy she ever looked at.
After the war ended, John became supervisor for Daitch Shopwell in the Bronx and in Westchester, New York. When he and his wife moved to Monroe he became a sales distributor for Lady Laura Stockings and opened Thrifty Mart in Monroe, a bagel and bakery store.
In 2007, John finally received the medals that he earned in World War II at the National Purple Heart Museum. His wife, Rose, wrote to Congressman John Hall and made the arrangements. A small local televised ceremony brought John to tears as he stood up to receive 10 medals, among them being the Purple Heart, American Campaign, Good Conduct, European-African Middle Eastern Campaign with Bronze Star Attachment, and World War II Victory Medal. In addition, he received an Expert Infantryman Badge, Honorable Service Lapel Button, Expert Badge and Rifle Bar, Sharpshooter Badge, Field Artillery Bar, Marksman Badge, and Pistol Bar.
In the summer of 2009, he was awarded the Veterans Honorary High School Diploma from Monroe Woodbury School District. The Veterans Honorary High School Diploma recognizes the life experiences of honorably discharged veterans who were unable to complete their high school education because of service in the armed forces during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
John had a passion for playing cards with his friends and betting on horses at OTB. Though he never became rich from any of his passions, he believed in giving back when he could and was an honorary citizen and donator to Boys Town, an organization that heals children and helps families in need.
His second love of his life was music. He played the accordion, harmonica, piano, and organ all by ear without reading a single note. His talent of music was passed onto his children and grandchildren. He and his wife loved traveling and over the past few years they spent the winter months on Jensen Beach in Hutchinson Island, Florida.
John was a man of few words but as William Shakespeare said, "Men of few words are the best men." This was true of John's nature; he was the best husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend one could ask for. He worked hard to provide for his family and loved all who surrounded him. He will be missed but his heart will live on forever.
VIsitation will be held from 3:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 26 at Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home, 117 Maple Avenue, Monroe. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 27 at Sacred Heart Church, 26 Still Road, Monroe. Interment will follow in St. Columba Cemetery in Chester.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Sacred Heart Church of Monroe or to Boys Town.
A special thanks to his cardiologist, Dr. Elsa Pascual, his internist, Dr. Morris Tilson, the VA Hudson Valley Health Care, Good Samaritan Home Health Care, the Chester EMT, and the staff in the emergency room at St. Anthony's Hospital.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rose Perrillo; his sons, Victor and Richard Perrillo; his daughter, Johanna DeMaria and her husband, Nicola; his brothers, Charles Perrillo; James Perrillo and his wife, Camille; Rocky Perrillo and his wife, Norma; Michael Perrillo and his wife, Margie; his sister, Mary Cirasola; four grandchildren, Theresa DeMaria-Valdes and her husband, Gonzalo; Joseph DeMaria and his wife, Anne; Patricia DeMaria; and Nicole Vitale and her husband, Robert; three great grandchildren, Angelo, Marco, and Nicholas; and many other family members and close friends.
His children, Jamsie and John, and his brother, Tony Perrillo, predeceased him.
John served in the U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division in Europe during the winter of World War II. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was wounded in the leg by an exploding shell. After his hospital recovery, John returned home and married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Rose, whom he met when he was 14 years old. Rose teases that her "Johnny" was the only boy she ever looked at.
After the war ended, John became supervisor for Daitch Shopwell in the Bronx and in Westchester, New York. When he and his wife moved to Monroe he became a sales distributor for Lady Laura Stockings and opened Thrifty Mart in Monroe, a bagel and bakery store.
In 2007, John finally received the medals that he earned in World War II at the National Purple Heart Museum. His wife, Rose, wrote to Congressman John Hall and made the arrangements. A small local televised ceremony brought John to tears as he stood up to receive 10 medals, among them being the Purple Heart, American Campaign, Good Conduct, European-African Middle Eastern Campaign with Bronze Star Attachment, and World War II Victory Medal. In addition, he received an Expert Infantryman Badge, Honorable Service Lapel Button, Expert Badge and Rifle Bar, Sharpshooter Badge, Field Artillery Bar, Marksman Badge, and Pistol Bar.
In the summer of 2009, he was awarded the Veterans Honorary High School Diploma from Monroe Woodbury School District. The Veterans Honorary High School Diploma recognizes the life experiences of honorably discharged veterans who were unable to complete their high school education because of service in the armed forces during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
John had a passion for playing cards with his friends and betting on horses at OTB. Though he never became rich from any of his passions, he believed in giving back when he could and was an honorary citizen and donator to Boys Town, an organization that heals children and helps families in need.
His second love of his life was music. He played the accordion, harmonica, piano, and organ all by ear without reading a single note. His talent of music was passed onto his children and grandchildren. He and his wife loved traveling and over the past few years they spent the winter months on Jensen Beach in Hutchinson Island, Florida.
John was a man of few words but as William Shakespeare said, "Men of few words are the best men." This was true of John's nature; he was the best husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend one could ask for. He worked hard to provide for his family and loved all who surrounded him. He will be missed but his heart will live on forever.
VIsitation will be held from 3:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 26 at Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home, 117 Maple Avenue, Monroe. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 27 at Sacred Heart Church, 26 Still Road, Monroe. Interment will follow in St. Columba Cemetery in Chester.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Sacred Heart Church of Monroe or to Boys Town.
A special thanks to his cardiologist, Dr. Elsa Pascual, his internist, Dr. Morris Tilson, the VA Hudson Valley Health Care, Good Samaritan Home Health Care, the Chester EMT, and the staff in the emergency room at St. Anthony's Hospital.
Candles
Mary Ann Pumilia
2012-01-22 13:33:48
Will miss Uncle Johnny! I always remember him sitting downstairs in his chair. He loved his television - cartoons and football games. And his organ, accordion, etc. Rest in peace, Johnny.
Marie & Paul Punzone
2012-01-22 18:34:29
Our deepest sympathy Rose to you & your family. During the short period of time, Paul & I, were able to know John, he was truly a kind & wonderful person. Deepest Sympathy, Marie, Paul, & Dawn
Your loving nephew Sal
2012-01-23 22:39:46
We will always remember the love you gave, your great interest and discussions with me over sports, and the times you shared with my pop - those wonderful memories will live on forever. Rest in Peace Uncle Johnny
terry morell
2012-01-25 03:11:06
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Robert Tomei
2012-01-27 01:39:42
I will always remember the Thursday nights when you would stop at the house after work and play some pool with Italo. I also remember the time we (with Aunt Rosie and Victor) drove down to Florida for a summer vacation and many of the summers we spent in Monroe. I miss those times and will miss you.
Love your nephew, Robert
Michael B
2012-02-01 18:25:33
I knew so much about you through your son Victor. I heard so many stories. I like the one that John gave Vic a smack in the head for not cutting the lawn when the Mets where on TV..Vic should of been watching the Yankee's. Don't worry I will give Vic a smack for watching the Mets!!