Obituary

Joseph J. Perna passed away on October 31, 2011. He was 86 years old.

Born and raised in Malden, Joseph was a longtime resident of Melrose and then Florida in his later years. He enlisted in the United States Navy during WW II and worked for many years for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Structural Engineer. He was also a past member of the V.F.W.

Joseph was the devoted husband of the late Carmella (Ruscio) Perna. He was the beloved father of John Perna and his wife Laura of River Forest, IL, Karen Pacini and her husband John of Glastonbury, CT and William Perna and his wife Maria of Kingston, MA. Joseph was the dear brother of Tina Masciarelli and the late Bernard Perna, Anne DeFronzo, Edith Giannini and Rose DiGiandomenico. He was the cherished grandfather of Lisa and Michael Perna, Steven and Diane Pacini and Nicholas and Julia Perna. He is also survived by nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main Street, Wakefield on Friday, November 4th at 11:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visitation will be held at the A. J. Spadafora Funeral Home, 865 Main Street, Malden on Friday morning from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. prior to the Mass. Interment will be in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joseph's memory may be made to Masonicare Partners Foundation, 111 Founders Plaza, East Hartford, CT 06108.