Joseph Edmund Perodeau

With profound sadness, and deep gratitude for a life well lived, the family of Joseph Edmund Perodeau announces his passing on June 1, 2025, at the age of 79. He left this earth surrounded by his family’s love and adoration. Born on June 22, 1945, Joe was a man whose legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched through his unwavering devotion to family, enduring friendships, steady faith, and boundless sense of humor.

Joe was a devoted husband and was blessed to have experienced two great loves in his life. He was first married to Kathlyn (Meagher) Perodeau, with whom he shared a deep and abiding bond until her untimely passing in 1984. Her influence on his life and his growth as a man and father remained central to him always. Her memory lived on through his stories of her and how he strived to be the father and man that she saw in him. Years later, Joe found love again with Elizabeth (Henry) Perodeau, his wife of 15 years and partner for many more. Liz brought love, joy and peace to his heart, adventure to his life and an even bigger family to love. He adored her and was so grateful to be her husband. He appreciated the life they built together every day.

Joe is survived by a loving and extended family who will carry his memory forward. He was the proud father of Carlene (Perodeau) Benelli and her husband Matthew Benelli, and Matthew Perodeau and his wife Lisa (Barker) Perodeau. He was also a beloved stepfather to Matthew Schill and his wife Rachel (Tobias) Schill, Kathryn (Schill) Carroll and her husband Matthew Carroll, and Benjamin Schill and his wife Marian (Hwang) Schill. Yes—if you're keeping count, that's four Matthews in the immediate family! Joe's role as a father and stepfather was one he embraced with steadfast love, guidance, and pride.

Nothing gave Joe more joy than being “Grampy” to his nine grandchildren. He leaves behind and watches over: Chloe Kathlyn Benelli, Jack Joseph Benelli, Cole Matthew Perodeau, Aidan William Perodeau, Liam Edward Carroll, Hayden Asher Carroll, Harper Caroline Schill, Henry Jin Schill, and Rosalie Aerin Schill. Whether in person or through a FaceTime screen, Joe’s pride in his grandchildren knew no bounds—he eagerly celebrated each milestone and moment, big or small, with genuine enthusiasm and adoration.

He was predeceased by his parents, Stella (Naumowicz) Perodeau (1968) and Arthur Edmund Perodeau (1966), and shared a deep and loving bond with his siblings throughout his life. He is lovingly remembered by his sisters Gail (Perodeau) Carrington and her late husband Earl Carrington (2016), Donna (Perodeau) Bishop and her husband Gary Bishop, Michelle (Perodeau) Waite and her husband Steven Waite, and his brother Gerald Perodeau and his wife Mary Jane Perodeau. He held a special place in his heart for his many nieces, nephews, and their children—always keeping up with them through Facebook and lovingly signing off with “LOL,” believing it meant “Lots of Love.”

Joe served honorably in the National Guard and U.S. Army and spent more than 20 years as a Correctional Officer with the Connecticut Department of Corrections, a career marked by dedication and service. His retirement from the State of Connecticut enabled him to enjoy a wonderful chapter of life in Florida, where he embraced the sunshine, relaxed deeply, and happily floated in the pool nearly every day. It was a well-earned reward for a life of hard work, and he cherished every minute of it. Many favorite memories, new friendships and family visits happened at the pool at Heritage Cove where he was lovingly referred to as “Mayor of the Pool”. He loved talking with his friends, usually about what he was cooking or the latest brag about a new grandchild or grandchild’s accomplishment!

To know Joe was to know someone who lived by example—valuing hard work, faith, kindness, and going above and beyond. Whether you were family, friend, or simply part of his world, you mattered to him deeply - and he wanted you to know it.

He will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.

A funeral mass will be held Thursday June 26, 2025, 10:30am at St. Columbkille Parish, 12171 Iona Road, Fort Myers Florida.

He will be laid to rest in Agawam MA with a family ceremony at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to pay tribute to Joe by showing up for someone else—lend a hand, share a laugh, tell a great story (especially with us), or just tell someone how much they mean to you.