Albert Perry

ALBERT PERRY Albert F. Perry, a Las Vegas pioneer entrepreneur, passed away Jan. 14, 2007, at the age of 92. Born Jan. 17, 1914, in Emporium, Pa., Albert and Mary M. Perry, his wife of 70 years, moved to Las Vegas from Niagara Falls, N.Y., in 1943 for health reasons. Upon arriving in Las Vegas, Albert first worked at the Stauffer Chemical Company in Henderson. His wife Mary, who had a restaurant background, worked in the hospitality industry until they opened their first Italian restaurant together in 1949. In 1955, they teamed up with Mary's sister and brother-in-law, Angie and Lou Ruvo, to open The Venetian Pizzeria on Fremont St., relocating to West Sahara several years later. In 1973, Albert, Mary, their daughter, Lorraine, and their family opened the original Bootlegger Ristorante on Tropicana and Eastern. In 2000, the now-renamed Bootlegger Bistro moved to its present location at 7700 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Albert Perry's daughter, former Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt-Bono recalls, "My father touched many lives. He was a great inspiration and mentor to me, to my son, Ron, and his family and to other family members and friends. He was unique - both a dreamer and a practical man who taught by example. He was very wise and lived his life with dignity and integrity. He came from humble beginnings, survived the Great Depression, worked hard and was able to live the American dream here in Las Vegas." In addition to his wife, Albert is survived by his daughter, Lorraine and her husband, Dennis Bono; his grandson, Ron Mancuso and his family - wife, Tina, and children, Roman and Zia; and four sisters. Visitation will be from 5-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, with a vigil service beginning at 7:30 p.m., at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at St. Viator Catholic Church, 2461 E. Flamingo Road. Entombment to follow at Palm Valley View Cemetery, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude's Ranch for Children, 100 St. Jude's St., Boulder City, NV 89006.