Dr. Ernest Leo Perri

PERRI Dr. Ernest Leo Perri, M.D., age 90, passed away December 17, 2005 at The Health Center of Friendship Village in Dublin, OH after a long illness. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years Betty Walker Perri of Chardon, OH and his brother Rudolph Perri of Brilliant, OH. Dr. Perri was born August 30, 1915 in Smithfield, OH, the son of the late Joseph and Orsolo Perri, Italian immigrants from Parenti, Italy. After graduating from Smithfield High School, where he played basketball, Dr. Perri graduated from The Ohio State University in 1937 and received his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1940 where he met his beloved wife Betty. He was a member of The Ohio State University Marching Band and played in The Ohio State University Orchestra. He held life memberships to the T.B.D.B.I.T.L. Association, The Ohio State University Alumni Association and was an active member of the Kappa Kappa Psi honorary band fraternity and the Nu Sigma Nu medical fraternity. Dr. Perri interned and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, NY and practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology in Stueubenville, OH for 30 years, delivering over 7000 infants before retiring to Florida. He was a member of the Pittsburgh Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, the Jefferson County Medical Society, a life member of the America Medical Association, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and a life member of the American Society of Cytology. He was also a Diplomat and life member of the American Board of Obstetric and Gynecology. Early in his medical career, he and his wife owned and operated a 500 acre dairy farm in Richmond, OH, which they later converted to Perri Acres Christmas Tree Farm with over 300,000 Christmas trees. During his retirement to Ormond Beach, FL, Dr. Perri owned and operated the Surfview Motel and Nassau Beach Motel in Daytona Beach. During this time, he developed an interest in orchids as a hobby, which later resulted in Perri Orchids, and orchid growing and wholesale business in Ormond Beach, FL, where he was trying to breed the "perfect blue orchid." His orchids won numerous awards and have been registered on the Sander's List of Orchid Hybrids. Dr. Perri served as President of the Daytona Beach Orchid Society where he became an expert lecturer on orchids at many events. Later he started and operated Perri Fisheries, a wholesale tropical fish business and enjoyed being a Ham Radio Operator. Dr. Perri is survived by his daughter, Janyth "Jan" Perri Cich and her husband Robert of Dublin, OH, where he resided for four years after his wife's passing and before taking up residence at Friendship Village of Dublin. He is also survived by a son, Bruce L. Perri and his wife Phyllis Hochman Perri of Englewood, OH. Also survived by five grandchildren, Todd M. Cich of Raleigh, NC, Laura A. (Scott) Carskadon of Powell, OH, Ryan R. (Jennifer) Cich of Ashburn, VA, Vanessa A. (Joseph) Peri of Fairfax, VA; Robert B. Perri of Ormond Beach, FL; and two great-grandchildren, Kyle J. Carskadon and Kennedy R. Carskadon of Powell, OH. Funeral service 11 a.m. Thursday, December 22, 2005 at RUTHERFORD FUNERAL HOME AT POWELL, 450 West Olentangy St., (Powell Rd., 1/4 mile east of Sawmill Parkway) Powell, OH 43065, where family and friends may call 6-8 p.m. Wednesday and 1 hour prior to service time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 2225 City Gate Dr., Suite E., Columbus, OH 43219.