Stephen Perrello Jr.

PERRELLO, Jr. STEPHEN JOSEPH On March 14th, surrounded by loving friends, Stephen left us after a valiant battle with brain cancer. Born August 25, 1946, in Buffalo, NY, to Stephen J. Perrello Sr., who died in 2003, and Josephine Perrello (Cannarozzo) who passed away a few weeks ago. Stephen had an older brother, Vincent, now living in Buffalo, and also an older sister, Mae Carol Randazzo, who died in 1997. He was also a loving uncle to eight nieces and nephews and seventeen grand nieces and nephews. Stephen had earned his BA in French from Cornell University, his J.D. from the University of Buffalo School of Law, and his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice at Rutgers University. A member of Pi Kappa Alpha and the San Diego County Bar Association, he was also invited into the Criminal Defense Lawyers Club. He chose criminal appeals as his specialty because he felt that the test of a society was how it dealt with those who transgressed. He was the primary force behind a recent landmark decision that recognized the civil rights of parolees. Stephen was also a participant in a case that successfully invalidated a sales tax aimed at generating revenues to build more jails. (He once said to a colleague, "If we keep building 'em, they'll keep filling 'em"). In recent years he focused on scholarship and teaching, and will be missed by colleagues and students at Alliant University. Most importantly, Stephen was a loyal, caring, and loving friend. His ringing laugh and zest for life brightened every occasion. He enjoyed ballet, classical music, good food, swimming with the "Different Strokes" club, as well as deep philosophical discussions with colleagues and friends. His unselfish demeanor during his illness was truly inspirational. He will be sorely missed. Please join us to honor his life on Saturday, March 25th, at First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, 4190 Front Street, San Diego, 92103, at 4:00 o'clock PM, across from the UCSD Medical Hospital, in Hillcrest. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to UU Men's Fellowship at First Unitarian Universalist Church in Stephen's name. Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com