Fiore Antonio Perri

WWII vet, brick mason was loyal family man

Fiore Antonio Perri, 91, of Houston, died peacefully Monday, January 2, 2012, in his home, following a lengthy illness.

He was born February 29, 1920, in Amantea, Italy, son of Vincenzo and Adelina Falsetti Perri.

Mr. Perri immigrated to the United States in 1937 and was drafted into the Army Air Forces in 1942, having served with the 14th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron. Serving during World War II, he achieved the rank of corporal and earned several medals and citations. He was honorably discharged from active service in 1945 and from the reserves in 1949.

He worked as a brick mason and was a member of Bricklayers Union for 50 years. He had worked at Beth Energy’s Eighty Four Mine, as well as for several local contractors.

Mr. Perri belonged to Sons of Italy in Cokeburg and American Legion Post 902 in Houston.

He is remembered as a loyal husband, loving father and devoted grandfather and by many for his talented brick work.

Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Edith Dalla Rosa Perri; five children, Joanne LaFrancesca and husband Antonino of Medfield, Mass., Salvatore Perri and wife Patricia of Milburn, N.J., Anthony Perri and wife Cathy of New Cumberland, W.Va., Dennis Perri of Washington and Angela Perri of Belmont, Mass.; five grandchildren, Fiore Perri (Holly) of Pittsburgh, Dennis Perri of Washington, Alicia Perri Yokum (Casey) of Winchester, Va., Vincent Perri (Candice) of Miami, Fla., and Jennifer Lee Perri of New York, N.Y.; a great-granddaughter, Makaylah Rae Perri; and many nieces and nephews, living both in the United States and Italy.

Deceased are four brothers, Salvatore, Francesco, Ettiore and Guiseppi Perri; and two sisters, Domenica Ciprianni and Louisa Abate.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15324. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon Friday January 6, in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, Meadow Lands, with the Rev. Carmen D’Amico as celebrant. Interment will follow in Beallsville Cemetery. Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.