Peter Nicholas Perrelli, Sr entered into the warm embrace of Heaven on June 11th, 2019. He was 82 years old. Originally from New Haven, CT he was the son of the late Joseph and Helen (Marchich) Perrelli. After graduating from high school, Pete decided to enlist in the US Air Force in 1956 as a mechanic where he served honorably for nearly 4 years, primarily as a turrant systems mechanic working on guns & radar systems for B66 and B45 bombers. He spent most of his professional career as an electrical engineer working mainly with submarines for government contractors like General Dynamics. Pete also worked as an Auxiliary State Trooper in Westboork, CT back in the 70’s and 80’s.
Pete leaves behind his loving wife of 26 years, Barbara (nee Repko), with whom he enjoyed going to the Hard Rock Casino, going to races, watching sports, and working on his Corvette. After living in the New Haven area, including North Haven and Clinton, Connecticut he moved to Florida and resided in Largo.
Passing away before him were his son Eric; brothers Mike and Nick; and his parents. In addition to his wife, Barbara, Peter’s survivors include son Peter Jr (Julie), stepdaughter Melissa, stepson Jeff (Billijean), daughter-in-law Christine, 6 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and his best friends Sid & Oscar.
A memorial service with military honors to celebrate Pete’s honorable service will be held on Thursday June 20th at 3:00pm at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg, FL. All friends and family are encouraged to attend and to gather for a reception afterward to continue celebrating his life. In lieu of flowers, his family is encouraging donations in his memory to The Wounded Warrior Project at WoundedWarriorProject.org .
Dad, I love you so much. I know the pain is now gone and you are in heaven with Eric in your arms. The pain for me is almost unbearable but our faith in the Lord is holding all of us down here together. So many great times we’ve shared, I will never forget and will cherish those memories forever. I love you Dad, please give Eric a big hug and kiss for me. Godspeed Dad, love your son Peter
To Mrs Perrelli, Son Pete and the entire Perrelli Family,
We Thank Pete Perrelli Sr. For his Service to our country and For Giving All to God Country and His Family.
God Bless America and God Bless Pete Perrelli Sr. William Diamond & Family
American Legion Post 5
Sons of the American Legion Squadron 5
Tampa, FL.
We will miss seeing Pete and his big smile at all of Gabrielles shows. We both cared so much for him.
Our world has lost another great human. Until we meet again, Pete.
You will be sincerely missed by so many…
Prayers to all the family…
🙏
John and Donna Holden
To Pete Jr and entire Perelli family I send my deepest condolences. I thank Mr Perelli for his service to our country and although I have never met him I spend 50 hours a week with his son we work right next to each other and his son Pete Jr. Has joyfully improved my quality of life I now enjoy and look forward to going to work because of his son’s intelligence, personality and humor. That shows what a great man Mr Perelli was and still is as his Spirit will live on in Pete Jr and myself as we enjoy a great quality of life started by Peter Sr.
Lissa and I offer our most heartfelt sympathies to our good friends Pete and Julie as well as to the entire Perrelli family. Although we didn’t know your father, we felt your pain during his illness and now feel your sadness and sorrow with his passing. God has called him home to rest knowing his work on earth is finished. May he rest in piece along side your brother Eric.
Grandpa, I’m not very good with finding the right words. It’s still surreal that you are gone. My heart is breaking for my dad, and of course the rest of our family. Life isn’t always fair, and this is one of those times. I will always cherish the memories I have with you, the best ones being the sleepovers Whitney and I would have at your house. You will be missed by so many. You and uncle Eric have each other now, although that doesn’t make it any easier for us here. Rest easy, I know you’re no longer in pain. Till we meet again, love you grandpa!
Ni
Barbara and Family,
Pete and I met while in the Air Force at RAF Sculthorpe May 1957, working & playing together for 3 years.
We took a 30 Day Leave and traveled Europe, going to Belgium, Germany, Italy, Monaco, The Vatican and France.
I’ll never forget the 120 mile trip riding behind Pete on his BSA Motorcycle back from London to the Base one cold winter night. We were just like Andy Griffith & Barney Fife, only we didn’t have a side Car..
Pete was my Buddy, just like a brother…..
…Jerry Massey
Barbara, Fast forward nearly 50 years later meeting you and Pete was wonderful, seeing the special bond our guys shared. We loved being together at the 47th Bomb Wing Reunions and meeting the other Air Force Buddies on the 2007 Cruise.
Love & Prayers , Rebecca Massey
Pete, I want to thank you for given me such a wonderful life. You were the best thing that ever happened to me.
We had a great marriage because we loved each other and we were always there for each other.
I thank God every day for you. You left this earth too soon, but I know you and Eric are together watching over us.
I will always love you.
Barbara
Pete so sorry to hear of your Dads passing . My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Suzanne McIsaac Imbruglia