Joseph Perna

Joseph “Papa Joe” Perna, 67 years, of Monroe, MI went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 15, 2011. Joe passed away at home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. Born March 17, 1944 in Partinico, Sicily, Joe was the son of the late Francesco and Antonina (Sala) Perna. Joe moved to Monroe in 1966. On November 12, 1966 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Monroe, Joe married his beloved wife the former Josephine Mignano. A restaurateur, Joe was the owner of Ambassador Hall in Monroe for many years. He closed the hall due to health reasons. Joe also operated Amore Restaurant in Monroe and Café Milano, Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant, and Joe’s New York Deli all in Toledo and Pizza Milano at Port Side in Toledo. Joe kept busy with his love of cooking by helping out his son Nino at Dolce Vita and Nick and Nino’s in Monroe where he baked bread and made cookies. Joe was a member of St. Michael The Archangel Catholic Church in Monroe. He enjoyed playing cards with his close friends and taking trips to the casino both in Detroit and Las Vegas. In May of 2010 the City of Monroe gave Joe the Golden Heart Award for his humanitarian service to the community. Joe was a beautiful man who lived for and loved his family with all of his heart. Joe will be sadly missed by his beloved wife of 44 years Josephine; 3 loving children; Annette (Jim) Sharrer, Frank J. (Tina) Perna and Nino J. (Michelle) Perna all of Monroe, 7 cherished grandchildren; Angelica, Gabriella, Julia, Frankie, Christopher, Gina and Matthew; 2 brothers; Lino (Anna) Perna of Monroe and Pete (Pat) Perna of LaSalle, and 2 sisters; Angela (Pino) Catalano and Maria (Pietro) Bono both of Partinico, Sicily. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4-8 PM and Friday from 1-8 PM in the Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd. in Monroe where a Rosary Service will be held at 6:00 PM on Friday. On Saturday, June 18, 2011 prayers will be held at the funeral home at 9:15 AM, a procession will follow to St. Michael The Archangel Catholic Church for Mass of the Resurrection celebrating Joe’s life at 10:00 AM. Fr. Stephen Vileo and Fr. Stephen Rooney will concelebrate. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Monroe.