Alfred had a heart warming smile and was always kind to all he met. He retired from the US Navy / Boatswain Chief Petty Officer – having served in WWII, and in Korea on various ships – USS Topeka, USS Sauftly, and USS Des Moines. He did lots of knot work for the admirals tender and other ship to shore vessels. After retiring from the US Navy he went to work at Atlantic Marine Drydock and Shipyard, he was the 5th employee hired by Mr. Bryant. He was a long time member of Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and a member of the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) since 1971.
Left to morn his passing are his wife - Gerda Perno of the home. Daughter - Susan A. Deal Ramsey and husband Ronald “ Ron” of Crouse NC, Son – Ronald L. “Ronnie” Perno formerly of Jacksonville FL now Crouse NC.
Grandchildren -Jessica Deal Schadt and husband Bryan of Simpsonville SC , Virginia J Ramsey of Greenville, NC , Kendall R.Ramsey and wife Sydney of Hendersonville NC, Brandy N Perno of Vero Beach FL, Shawn Perno fo Jacksonville FL.
Great grandchildren - Kadin, Makayla, Makenzie, Kamrin, Karsin Mixon, Noah and David Schadt.
Alfred was from a large family. He was the 8th child of 12 and the last to pass. His father was an Italian immigrant and the hospital workers often misunderstood the last name. Thus the different spelling of his siblings last name. So we have spellings of the last name of siblings of Perna- Parno- Perno. His father signed for him to enlist in the US Navy at age 17. Alfred met and married his wife, Gerda while stationed in Bremerhaven, West Germany. When he retired from the U S Navy, he wanted to settle someplace warm as he did not like the cold in New Jersey, so he made his home in Jacksonville, Florida.
Alfred was predeceased by his parents Sebastaino Perna and Carmela Procaccino Perna, sisters – Bridget Perna Hovath, Josephine Parno Zacchino, Disolina “Lena” Perna Lupi, Anna Marie Parno Slowinski, Lucy Nancy Parno Militig, Mary Perna DeMatteo. Brothers – Mariangelo”Morris” Perna, Roland Parno, Sabastino V. “Junior” Perna., Rapheal G. “Ralph” Perno, Anthonio “Tony” Perna
Many thanks to those at Atrium Health, Brian Rehabilitation Center, Willis - Reynolds Funeral Home and Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home and Robert & Wendy Inscoe in assisting the family.
A service will be held October 6, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, committal services will follow at Riverside Memorial Park.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the PERNO family.
