EUGENIO PERDONI

1934 - 2022

PERDONI, Eugenio A life well lived. Eugenio Perdoni of Wellesley, passed from this world on March 28, 2022. It is difficult to encapsulate a life of 87 years into a few short paragraphs. Eugenio was born in the northern Italian village of Gazzola, to Guido and Gemma (Moruzzi) Perdoni on September 24, 1934. Raised on a farm with eight siblings, Eugenio learned the value of a loving family and hard work. Like so many Europeans of that era, Eugenio lived through the horrors of World War II, in which his family and village were partisans fighting against the Nazi and fascist oppression. Eugenio, his father, and five of his siblings immigrated to Wellesley in 1955, followed by two remaining siblings, settling in his beloved Wellesley, where he married his wife of nearly 60 years, Nora Christine O'Shea. Eugenio and Nora raised five children who all went through the Wellesley Schools. Besides his marriage and the birth of his children and grandchildren, one of the happiest days in his life is when he became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America. He valued all of its liberties and that you could work hard and achieve anything. Above all, Eugenio worked hard to make sure his family would have wonderful lives. He worked hard because he believed in the American dream. Eugenio loved Wellesley and he participated fully in his life here. He did too many things to list, but among his contributions to the community, Eugenio was a member of the Italo-American Club, the Rotary Club, the Weston Road Community Gardens, and the Winemaker Association. Eugenio was particularly proud of winning the 2009 People's Choice Award at the annual Winemaker of the Year competition. Eugenio was a bee-keeper and an expert mycophagist (mushroom forager). He was an avid gardener and could be relied on to deliver hundreds of pounds of produce to friends and family every year. As the proprietor of Eugenio's Hair Salon for over 56 years, he befriended thousands of people over the years, ensuring they always looked their best! Aside from the salon, Eugenio was a well-regarded real estate developer in Wellesley. Many local youth teams were proudly sponsored by Eugenio's or the beneficiaries of his major fundraising efforts, from little league teams, to the Wellesley High School sports teams and school band, to adult softball and flag-football teams. Eugenio could always be seen towing floats at the Wonderful Wellesley Weekend. Eugenio was also an avid sports fan, embracing everything Boston, even before they started winning! He loved the Boston Braves, Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins. Eugenio and Nora met on a dance floor in South Boston and danced through life together. Their kids and grandkids were and are the pride of their happy and successful lives together. Eugenio was predeceased by his parents, his siblings Ines Verdelli, Gino, Maria Bazzari, and Joseph. He is survived by his loving wife, Nora, and his five children Nancy Gauthier of Dover, NH, his son John (Laurie) of Wellesley, Lisa Chatham (Joe) of Wellesley, Karen Maccini (Steve) of Needham, and Cristina of Wellesley, and his grandchildren, Parker, Mackenzie, Maisie, Roman, Emerson, Lauchlan, Gemma, Gianna, and Bronson. He is also survived by his siblings, Domenica, Bruna, and Renso, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., (Rt.16) WELLESLEY on Friday, April 1st from 4:00-8:00pm. A Funeral Mass will be held in St. Paul's Church, 502 Washington St., Wellesley on Saturday, April 2nd at 10:00am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellesley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Eugenio's memory to the American Heart Association, 300 5th Ave., Waltham, MA 02451. Online guestbook at gfdoherty.com George F. Doherty & Sons Wellesley 781-235-4100