Augusto “Gus” Perrotta, age 83, of Clearwater, FL died December 10th, 2020 at home following an extended illness.
On May 7th, 1937, he was born in Somerville, Massachusetts, the son of the late Anselmo Perrotta & Filomena Hughes. On October 8th, 1967, he married Paulette Bevilacqua in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Together they shared 53 years of marriage.
Gus is survived by his wife- Paulette Perrotta, daughter- Susan (Sue) Helmke and husband Mike, grandson- Mike and granddaughter- Emma of San Antonio, TX, grandson- Nick Perrotta of Melrose, Massachusetts.
He was preceded in death by his son- Paul Perrotta of Melrose, Massachusetts.
After graduating from Somerville High School, Gus enlisted in the Marine Corps and remained in the Reserves as a Corporal for 6 years. He enjoyed playing semi-professional football and continued playing basketball until age 65.
Gus began working selling newspapers at age 9 to help support his single mother. Throughout his young life, he had many jobs including working after school at his uncle’s grocery store. As an adult, Gus was the consummate salesman. He was the paint department manager at Sears & Roebuck where he later met the love of his life, Paulette, at the company’s Valentine’s Day Dance.
After marrying, Gus became a sales representative for the licensing agent of Boston Bruins. After moving to Saugus, Massachusetts with his wife and 2 children, he worked as a real estate agent for McCullough Real Estate. In 1974, he and his family fulfilled their dream of moving to Florida. His career included life insurance sales for John Hancock and Sales Director for Gulf Coast Fans, Sales Agent for Rutenburg Homes and retires in 1999 from many years as an Insurance Agent and Financial Services Representative for Prudential.
Throughout his retirement years, Gus worked part-time for Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) as an arbitrator and then as a mediator for Pinellas County Courts.
Gus’ second home was Espiritu Santo. As a member for 46 years, he was active in various committees and boards including Minister of Communion, Knights of Columbus (4th degree), St. Vincent de Paul Society, and founded St. Anne & St. Jochim Grandparent Program, and his pride and joy was Men of Espiritu Santos (MOES).
The family would like to thank Suncoast Hospice for providing outstanding care, compassion, and comfort, Men of Espiritu Santo, Knights of Columbus, United States Marine Corps Honor Guard, and friends for all their support, love, and encouragement.
Ceremonies and Services have been arranged by Veterans Funeral Care in Clearwater, FL and will be conducted at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church (2405 Phillippe Pkwy, Safety Harbor).
Viewing & Wake will take place on Monday December 14th from 11:00am – 1:00pm. Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday December 15th at 10:30am. Military Honors performed by the US Marine Corps Funeral Team will follow.
He will be interred at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 5233 118th Avenue North, Clearwater, FL 33760, at 2:30PM on Monday, December 21, 2020.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be mail to: Good Samaritan Mission- Uganda.
Mail to:
Father Frank Lubowa
Most Holy Name Catholic Church
5800 15th Ave South
Gulfport, FL 33707
*Make checks payable to Most Holy Name Catholic Church
*Memo line- Good Samaritan Mission- Uganda
Donations can be made online at >https://www.mostholyname.org/good-samaritan-school-in-uganda
I had the opportunity to work with Gus as a mediator at the Sixth Judicial District. I will remember him for his sense of humor and his energy. My prayers go out to the Perrotta family.
We are so sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
John and Cathy Vieira
Paulette, we are so sorry for you loss. We know how you both loved each other and spent all your years sharing and fulfilling your need & love of the church. Please know we are here for you and always will be.
Susan & Family, I know what dad meant to you and you to him. He loved his family totally and you are a testament to that.
In loving thought, Jacqueline, Jerry & Family.
Thinking of you all in this difficult season and praying God’s comfort is evident in the love, care, and support of others. What a wonderful tribute to an amazing man who loved and served. I know he will be missed and am certain he will be celebrated because of the blessing he has been to so many.
Sincerely,
Leslie Wild
(friend of Sue)
Paulette, Sue & Family
We are very saddened to hear of your loss. It has been our pleasure to know Gus and the family for over 30 years. We pray for all of you during this difficult time, and hope that memories of Gus bring you comfort.
Lisa & Tom Hicks
I was so sad to hear of Gus’s passing. We shared many happy family celebrations and sad moments over the years. I will always remember them. My condolences to Paulette and Susan and Mike. You are all in my prayers. I am so sorry for your loss. Love, Pat Vieira
Paulette, Susan and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Gus has been such an inspiration as a man of great Faith. A true man for others. He will be greatly missed and his legacy of service towards others will live on through all of us. We will miss his infectious smile and his untiring efforts with MOES to help others in our Community.
We pray for peace and comfort for you all.
The Rooth family
Dear Paulette and Family:
I want to express toy you my sincerest condolences on the passing of Gus. One of the kindest gifts God had given me was the chance to know and work with my friend, Gus. He was always ready to do a good deed for another. His joy was taking the gifts God had given him and offering them lovingly to those in need. I will always remember Gus with a heart full of happiness, a smile on his face and being the best dressed guy wherever he went. Without a doubt Gus took the express to heaven where our God said to him, “Welcome, oh good and faithful servant, to the everlasting glory of paradise.”
During this time of grief in your lives be assured of my prayers. May the Lord grant you comfort and peace.
Joe Citro
Gus was a great guy. I enjoyed working with Gus in small claims court.
I was fortunate to have Gus as a friend and my prayers go out to his family.
We are so sorry to hear about Gus. He was a great,caring person. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Warm regards,
John & Pat Carlin
I had the pleasure of working more closely with Gus, through the mediation program, for over five years (after becoming more involved with small claims mediation). I so enjoyed our talks. His always had positive words for me and I loved hearing of his travels with Paulette. His love for you, Paulette, and his family was obvious. I learned a few new things about him reading this wonderful tribute. I wish I could have had more time with him on earth. He truly was a sweetheart of a person. My heart is so broken and we all will miss him dearly. My sincere condolences to you, Paulette and your family.
I had the sincere pleasure of working with Gus during many Small Claims Court Sessions in Clearwater and St. Petersburg. I always enjoyed our conversations during work and when we would occasionally have the opportunity to have lunch together. I always appreciated the words of wisdom he shared with me. We also shared many interests and which made for interesting conversation. I know he loved his family very much and I will miss him very much. To the Perrotta Family I would like to express my deepest condolences.
Sincerely,
Scott Bressler
This news is heartbreaking.
Our condolences to Paulette, our hearts and thoughts are with you.
We will miss his smile , sense of humor, and warm laugh Gus gave everyone he met.
We are so sorry not to be with you today- we just heard of this.
To your entire family, our deepest condolences.
Amanda & Jimmy
Paulette and Susan,
I just found out and we are so sorry for your loss.
I have great memories of watching the Celtics games at your house. Gus was an amazing person and will be missed. We love you!!
Randy and Robyn Souza
I have known Gus since the 1970’s and have always been inspired by his undying dedication to his Catholic faith and Espiritu Santo Catholic Church in Safety Harbor, Florida. Gus was always professional in all his endeavors. Tampa Bay has suffered a great loss and he will be remembered by all the lives he touched in his time on earth. He has fought the good fight and has finished the race and has kept the faith and now he goes to receive the crown of righteousness which the Lord will award him, and not only to him, but to all who look forward to His coming. (2nd Timothy 4:7) AT EASE MARINE and Semper Fi until we meet again.
Lenny Vivolo, Oldsmar, Florida
We were so sorry and sad to hear about the passing of Gus. He was always so cheerful and kind to us and we will miss seeing him at ESCC. Keeping you in our prayers during this difficult time.
Paulette,
I can still remember the first time we met at a “Baby Boomer” holloween party several years ago. Gus was dressed like clery (so fitting!). It did not take long for our friendship to grow. I will always remember Gus as a sharply dressed, well spoken, well groomed person with a subtle sense of humor.
I regret we did not get to be together more often with our schedule being what it is.
Paulette, you are a strong women and will gain strength in knowing how loved Gus is by his friends and the fond memories he has shared with us.
Wayne and Linda