Obituary of Patrick Sam Perna

1930-2022 Pat passed away on Friday, September 23rd, 2022, with his wife by his side. Preceded in death by his loving parents, Salvatore and Calogera Perna, and baby sister Mary. Survived by beloved wife Norma, the love of his life for 66 years; four sons, Patrick (Trish, step-grandson Jake), Michael, Steve (deceased in 2014), Joseph; granddaughter Cassandra Jo, sister Mary and brother Sam and his family and grandchildren. Many cousins, nieces and nephews that live in Boston, MA. Pat was a graduate of Mechanic Arts High School. He served in the US Marine Corps during the Korean War. He worked for the Great Northern/Burlington northern railroad for 42 years. During his time there he was chairman of the board of trustees for local lodge 593. He also was in charge of setting up the Columbus Day Italian parties. Oliver Town wrote his parties up in the St. Paul dispatch as “THE GODFATHER OF ITALIAN PARTIES”. He also had many other union lodge parties planned for Christmas at the Venetian Inn and Mancini's. Also had lunch with his friend Richard Cossetta and son Dave Cossetta and other Italian friends at Cossetta's restaurant every Saturday. Pat was involved with getting a group of former Mechanic Arts High School alumni together to meet at the White Castle on White Bear Avenue for lunch each Wednesday. This went on for many years. If there was something that someone needed he was always there to help whether it be advice, work, or to just listen and share words of wisdom. HE WILL BE VERY MUCH MISSED. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 5th from 4-7pm at Anderson Funeral Home, 1401 Arcade St. St. Paul, MN 55106. Procession will leave from Anderson Funeral Home at 12 Noon Thursday, October 6th, to Fort Snelling National Cemetery followed by 12:30PM interment.