Patrick Joseph Perri

Patrick Joseph Perri, 88, of Henderson, Nevada and formerly of Mishawaka, died Thursday, May 23, 2013, following a brief illness and a broken heart from the recent loss of his beloved wife, Rose.

Pat was born November 24, 1924 in Anderson, Indiana, a son of the late Sam and Elizabeth (Perri) Perri. He grew up in Mishawaka and was a graduate of Mishawaka High School. He served his country in the US Navy during World War II.

Pat married Rose Marie Szymczak on September 9, 1950 in St. Adalbert Catholic Church in South Bend. The couple made Mishawaka their home.

In 1969, Pat and Rose established Pat’s Colonial Pub in Mishawaka. They owned and operated the business where they worked beside each other until 1990 when they retired and moved to Nevada. After retirement, Rose and Pat continued their friendships with past employees and patrons of the restaurant and have many dear friends.

After enjoying retirement for a while, Pat was asked to manage the restaurant at the Skyline Casino in Henderson which he did for several years.

Pat always had a smile on his face and enjoyed doing for others. In later years, woodworking became his passion and he would make different items and donate them to schools and other non-profit organizations in Nevada and Indiana.

Pat was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Mishawaka. He also belonged to the Elk’s Lodge, Diloreto Society and Mishawaka High School Alumni Association.

Pat’s surviving family includes eleven children, Martina (Dale) Freeman of Mishawaka, Monica (Ken) Birdsall of Atlantis, FL, Michele Hartsough of Greensboro, NC, Samuel (Connie) Perri of Mishawaka, Patrick (Patience) Perri of South Bend, Melani (Dusty) Howard of West Palm Beach, FL, Manette Vernasco of St. Cloud, FL, Marianne Candler of Mishawaka, Micolette Perri of Granger, Rock Perri of South Bend and Marisa (Mark) Moreland of Mishawaka; a sister, Connie Bilancio; 23 grandchildren; and 17 great grandchildren.

Pat was preceded in death by his wife, Rose who passed away on May 15; a grandson, Nicholas Perri; a son-in-law, James Hartsough; five sisters, Minnie Sencrie, Catherine DeSimone Eslinger, Mary Marando, Grace Baldoni and Anna Zirille; and two brothers, Frank and Dominic Perri.

Mass of Christian Burial for Pat and Rose Perri will be celebrated Friday, May 31, at 10:30 am in St. Monica Catholic Church, 222 W. Mishawaka Ave., Mishawaka, with Rev. Jeffery Largent officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery.

Friends may spend time with the family Thursday, May 30, from 3 - 7 pm in Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka, and Friday from 9:30 - 10:30 am in the church.

If Pat could have written his own obituary he would have said, “In my memory do something nice for someone today. God Bless.”