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Thomas Perna Obituary
Thomas Andrew
Tom was born February 15, 1941, in Toledo to Andy and Dorothy Perna. He graduated from Central Catholic, attended Evansville College and began his career in TV in Evansville, IN in the 60's. Tom moved his family back to Toledo and had a long career working for Channel 13 from 1966 until his retirement in 2006.
Tom was an avid sportsman, loved waterfowl hunting, fishing and was an accomplished racquetball player. He achieved many local, regional, state and national championship titles and was extremely proud of his induction into the Ohio Racquetball Association Hall of Fame in 1996. Tom came from a long line of athletic achievers. His father, Andy, is in the Ohio Baseball Hall of Fame and was a long time Mud Hens trainer. His brother, Rip, was a professional wrestler for a number of years as was Tom.
Surviving is his wife, Marilyn; daughters, Andrea, Susan, Laura, Kristie, Michelle and Katherine, and 9 grandchildren, Jamie, Andrew, Alexis, Zachary, Ashley, Emma, Baylee, Nicholas and Chase.
Services will be private. Memorials may be made to St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 4555 N. Haven Ave., Toledo, Ohio 43612. Blanchard Strabler Funeral Home (419)269-1111. Online condolences:
www.blanchardstrabler.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Perna
Ken Lee
April 14, 2014
To the Perna family I am sorry to hear of Toms passing and my deepest sympathy goes out to you.
I have a lot great memories of Tom taking me duck hunting when I was in my early teens I can remember him pulling up in front of my house in his green Chevy pickup truck and his dog Drake sitting next to him. Later when I was old enough I bought my first vehicle from him, that Green Chevy Pickup Truck. Tom was a very wonderful person to take time out of his busy life to take take me hunting.
Thanks, Tom from Ken
pat O'Connor
April 5, 2014
Dear family,
We are so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. But what a great life he lived. The last time I saw him was when one of our cousin's died and we had a nice visit. Tom was my second cousin (his dad and my grandmother were brother and sister)
May he rest in peace. God bless your whole family.
Love,
Patti and Jim O'Connor
Julie & Walt (Delilah & Echo) Adams
April 3, 2014
Sue, we are sadden to hear of your dad's passing. My prayers go out to you and your family. If there is anything we can do please let me know. Take care!
Guy Pete
April 1, 2014
Tom - Your were a great friend and a much better racquetball player than I. Appreciate you carrying me in the doubles. Enjoyed the hunting and the wine. Appreciate all you and Al did to cover the USMC Reserve Training.
You will be missed and always be remembered. Rest in peace.
Guy & Anna Pete
Toledo 1972-1975
I&I Staff USMC
Jack Crowley
April 1, 2014
Sad to hear. I played a good bit of racketball with Tom back in the 80's. Great player. RIP.
Amy Isley
March 31, 2014
Marilyn and family,
So sorry to hear about Tom. It was a pleasure to care for him. He will be missed. Prayers to you all.
Mike Smythe
March 31, 2014
Tommy Hawk, one of the great ones. I worked with Tom at WSPD and moved to WTOL in the late 60s. During the racquetball days I became a city league "B" player and constantly egged on Tom to play me knowing I could never win. About 1973, Tom finally agreed to play and we me at the YMCA downtown. I knew I was in for it but thought I could get one point out of 21. He told me he would beat me 21 to nothing and would tell me exactly where the shot was going before he hit it. I didn't even see the ball for the entire match. Tom shut me up for good and I deserved it after bragging to everyone that I could take him apart on the court. I have told that story to hundreds of people all across the country every year.
Tom was a true gentleman with great talents calling the on-air shots in early television. Once we were in the studio we knew that he was in charge. Venner, Ward, Gilhooley, Rudes, you name anyone and they were aware that
Tom Perna was the best director ever in Toledo during that time. Maybe the best ever!
Just a great guy who will be missed.
Corinna Krajewski-Weber
March 31, 2014
Tom was a wonderful mentor and friend to me. I was a new graduate who longed to be in the control room. He was part of a group of "Dutch uncles" who helped and protected this naive Detroiter. God Bless You, Tom. You will be always be remembered with a smile and a "Whoooa!" through headsets.
March 31, 2014
Dear Marilyn & family,
Sending you and your family much love and sincere sympathy. I have such fond memories of Tom from High School(CCHS Class of '59). He will be missed by all of us who had the wonderful experience of knowing him.
Toni & Dave Moore
Jennifer Siragusa
March 31, 2014
My sincerest condolences to the Perna Family. I worked with Tom at WTVG, and he was the guy who made me know I was in the right business. He was a great Director, but an even better friend. He was always supportive, even when people felt that some jobs couldn't be done by women. He was the one who would say, "well, prove them wrong, then they'll shut up about it." He never doubted my abilities, and was so easy to work with.
We used to play racquetball at "Aquarius." He helped get me a discount, so I could join. He kicked my butt EVERY time we played, but we always had fun.
He had a killer wit and we used to love his jokes and stories...sometimes told during commercial breaks or right before he told us to "saddle up" for the Newscast. He kept things light in a business that can be very stressful.
Rest in Peace, Tommy. You will be greatly missed.
Marv Perry
March 31, 2014
Dear Marilyn and girls, I was so sorry to hear of the lost of Tom. Tom was a great friend for many years. I really loved the time we were able to spend together in the marsh, river, lake(s) and field. He was a great man that will be truly missed. Our prayers are with you all. Marv
Bob & Bobby Reynolds
March 31, 2014
To all Tommy's Girls,
So sorry for your loss. We were proud to call Tom our cousin and have many found memories of family times when we were all so close and spent lots of time together. Missing all the good times. May Tommy rest in peace.
Ralph Cairl
March 30, 2014
My deepest sympathy to the family of Tom Perna. I will keep him in my prayers. We rode to Central in his 1951 ford.He will be missed.Ralph Cairl class of 59.
Tom Waniewski
March 30, 2014
God bless you and the girls, Marilyn. Tom was really a blast to work with. He made coming to work a great experience.
Jerry Roman
March 30, 2014
Dear Marilyn and Family,
We were saddened to read of Tom's passing. Dick let us know of his brave struggle and we've had him in our thoughts and prayers. I am sure that you have wonderful memories of great times together and I hope these will help to ease your loss and sorrow. Sincerely, Jerry & Joy Roman
James Reilly
March 30, 2014
Tom was a great guy, a terrific competitor, and a dedicated family man. As a competitor, he was a true sportsman who respected each and everyone of the people he competed against. He was one of the best men that I have ever known.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Marilyn and the girls.
Jim and Betty Reilly
North Las Vegas Nevada
Fred Kazmierski
March 30, 2014
I have not seen Tom since HS but remembered as a great guy! Please accept my sympathies.
March 30, 2014
Tom was a dear person with a wonderful smile and ready for a story at any time. He was wonderful to work with! My condolences. Wendy Gerber
T.J. Hinsdale
March 30, 2014
Its sad to hear of Tom's passing. He was a great co-worker and good friend. I spent 24 years with him calling shots in the control room at Channel 13, playing softball, he got me started in racquetball and of course...we had a lot of laughs! My best to Marilyn and the kids..."Saddle Up Tommy"!
March 30, 2014
So sorry, Marilyn and kids. Tom was a lifelong friend. Friendship extended to his mom and dad and Harvey. Tom was the 1st in the gang to drive. He drove us to school (CCHS) every day as juniors and seniors. .50 cents a week for gas! Larry, Leroy, Mike Konz and me. Lotta laughs. Doubled with him for two Proms. Remember a fight he had with Tom Schoenhofer . . . would have killed him, but with Shoeny on the ground, Tom couldn't get passed those humungous big feet! I'll really miss him!
Mike Schnapp
Dennis Janco
March 30, 2014
My deepest condolences. Tom was a great friend and co-worker.
March 30, 2014
Marilyn..I was so saddened to hear about Tom's passing.
We had some great times in the Ch. 13 newroom...we laughed a lot.
Tom and Al Mannes took me on my only duck hunt for a three part series I did. What a great day that was...I never hunted before (and haven't since) but that will be a day I will never forget.
Please know you and your family will be in our prayers during this tough time,.
God Bless you all.
Bill and Carol Clark
Andy Balas
March 30, 2014
My sincerest condolences to the Perna family. Tom was an amazing man and friend.
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