Joseph F. Perna, Jr.

Born: 10/25/1933 Died: 12/12/2012 Mr. Joseph F. Perna, Jr., age 79, of New Castle, DE, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, surrounded by his beloved family. A native Delawarean, Mr. Perna was born in Wilmington on October 25, 1933, son of the late Joseph F. Perna, Sr. and Santina Masci Perna. He was a graduate of Wilmington High School and would go on to serve his country proudly in the US Army. In civilian life, he made his career with the DuPont Company, where he retired as a construction superintendent at the company’s Chambers Works site in Deepwater, NJ. Active in his community, Mr. Perna was a longtime member of Our Lady of Fatima parish, St. Anthony’s Club, the Sons of Italy St. Gabriel Lodge, and Joseph B. Stahl Post #30 American Legion. He was a gifted athlete from his youth and enjoyed playing golf with family and friends in his retirement. In earlier years, he especially enjoyed sharing his love of sports with young people by helping to coach his sons in baseball and assisting in the construction of the Suburban Little League field complex. Each season he delighted in cheering for his favorite teams, the Eagles, the Phillies, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was a talented woodworker throughout his life and relished the challenges of any type of building project. Mr. Perna will be remembered most of all for his generous, kind, and compassionate nature. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend, he was a true gentleman who dedicated his life to helping anyone in need. Mr. Perna is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Dorothy Uniatowski Perna; his children, Joseph F. Perna III and wife Kim of Smyrna, Kevin A. Perna and wife Elpi of Hockessin, and Marianne Perna of New Castle; his brother, Louis Perna of Ocean View; his precious grandchildren, Joseph, Alexandra, and Christopher, who were the apples of his eye; and many his nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his twin sister, Rita Poole, and his sister, Joanne Pate. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the nurses at Christiana Care who cared for Mr. Perna throughout his illness and to the nurses of Seasons Hospice, including Rolex, Brittany, and LaQwanna, for their kindness to him in his final days. Visitation will be held from 3 pm to 6 pm on Sunday, December 16th, at Our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church, 801 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 am on Monday, December 17th, at Our Lady of Fatima. Interment will follow in Cathedral Cemetery, 2400 Lancaster Ave., Wilmington. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Perna may be made to Seasons Hospice, 220 Continental Drive, Ste. 101, Newark, DE 19713; or to the American Cancer Society, 92 Read’s Way, Ste. 205, New Castle, DE 19720.