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Joseph Perrotta Obituary
Joseph's family is devastated by his loss. He is survived by his loving wife Theresa and three daughters. Daughter Laurie Perrotta Cooper, husband Daniel Robert and children Joshua Whitten, Addison Marie and Matthew Joseph. Daughter Ashlie Marie Campbell, husband Christian Eric and children Erica Lynn Beck, Joseph "Woody" Humes, Jackson Django Christian Campbell, grandchildren Lyliana and Andrew Beck. Daughter Angela Michelle Perrotta and husband William Chesley Henderson.
Siblings Frank Perrotta, Nancy Jo Schmidt and preceded in death Sandra Perrotta.
He will be greatly missed by his extended Navy family and golf friends.
Joe proudly served his country around the world for 33 years. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1961. After selection for the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program (NESEP), he attended and graduated from the University of Louisville. Upon commissioning, he embarked on a distinguished career as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO). Besides various staff and afloat assignments, he commanded: USS Ready (PG-87), USS Stump (DD-978) and USS Normandy (CG-60). As the commissioning commanding officer of Normandy, he led the crew through the most rapid commissioning-to-deployment of any ship since WWII in order to participate in Operation Desert Storm. For his service during the Gulf War he received the Bronze Star. Because of the unique association with the Normandy, it provided him the opportunity to memorialize and honor the veterans of WWII for the rest of his life, especially members of the wartime 29th Infantry Division.
Joe was so proud of his three daughters and grandchildren and was always there to encourage them in their endeavors. His other hobbies included golf and the Louisville Cardinals his alma mater. More recently a Clemson Tigers superfan.
A gathering on Friday November 9, 2018 at 10:00 AM, mass at 11:00 AM, followed by military honors and reception at Church of the Ascension, Virginia Beach, VA.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Joe's honor by mail to Folds of Honor, Dept 13, Tulsa.OK 74182. Online donations can be submitted at the website: www.foldsofhonor.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Perrotta
Sponsored by the family.
Maxwell Shaw
September 26, 2022
Captain Perrotta gave me the opportunity to serve in the best sea billet of my navy career- Navigator, USS Stump. Thank you sir and fair winds and following seas shipmate.
Marty Riggs Stefas
December 12, 2019
To the Perrotta family, my most heartfelt condolences on your loss. I knew Joe when we were kids in Ely Village. I considered him and Sandy family. She and I remained friends until she passed away. I will tell the rest of the bunch of Joe's passing and I can safely tell you they all send their condolences. Mrs. Perrotta (Joe's mom) always allowed the bunch of into their home to just hang out. It was a great part of my early teen years.
Marty Stefas (née Riggs)
Michelle Hewitt
November 13, 2018
Dear Theresa & family , Thinking of you wishing you healing that touches both body & spirit...Peace in those moments when you need it most...And strength to sustain you day by day .
November 12, 2018
Theresa and family, the Scott clan is just heartbroken. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Beth Acker
November 11, 2018
Heartfelt condolences to all of our family that we've lost such a great man. Uncle Joe you we're always a great example of what a man should be. I never once saw you lose your temper or speak ill of anyone. You always put family first and you raised a beautiful family. My Buster, whom you threatened to steal many times, also sends his love; and Jim, your tech buddy is also saddened much by your passing. I know you were greeted by Grandpep, Grandma and my mom. I'm so sorry you had to leave us so soon, you are dearly missed and greatly loved! Until we see you again... Bethie
Don and Moe
November 10, 2018
Theresa,
Thank you for allowing Moe and me to share these past two days with you and your lovely family. We have 39 years of memories to cherish and a future to hold them dear. We love you guys. Don and Moe
Don and Moe
November 10, 2018
Theresa, Thank you for allowing Moe and me to spend these past two days with you and your remarkable family. We have 39 years of memories to cherish and a future to hold them dear. We love you guys. Don and Moe
Bryan Jackson
November 9, 2018
My sincere condolences to the entire Perrotta family. I served under Captain Perrotta on the USS Normandy as part of the commissioning crew. He took us through Desert Storm and more. It's true that Joe was a stringent taskmaster, but I can't think of a better skipper to follow if one must go into harm's way. Rest easy, Sir.
Phyllis Y Adams
November 9, 2018
Theresa and family,
I was saddened to learn of Joe's untimely passing and will always cherish fondly our tour together with Joe as Commanding Officer of the USS Ready (PG-87)and Jim's serving as his Executive Officer in Patrol Division-21 in Naples, Italy. Please know that you and your extended family are in our family's prayers and please accept our sincere condolences for your unexpected loss.
Phyllis Y. Adams (Commander James J. Adams, USN, Deceased), Lieutenant Commander Martha Adams,USNR and Chris Casper and Jeffrey and Dana Adams
Virginia Beach, VA
November 8, 2018
Teresa and family,
My deepest sympathies for you and your entire family. I had the privilege of being Captain Perotta's senior Operations Specialist and air defense subject matter expert during Operation Desert Storm. I was also his second Command Master Chief on USS Normandy. I have many memories of our time together on Normandy. We were indeed the tip of the spear. It was also an honor to be one of his sideways at his retirement ceremony. He will be missed.
Fair winds and following seas Captain Perotta.
Our prayers go out to you and your family Teresa.
With deepest sympathy,
Bill Robbins
USS Normandy plank owner and Command Master Chief
Doug & Carole Smartt
November 8, 2018
Teresa & Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Our paths launched in Naples Italy serving on Patrol Gunboats together. I appreciated Joe's strength as a Lieutenant Commanding Officer of USS Ready. Strength was always softened when we enjoyed the beauty of Italian life in the mid-70s. We appreciated Joe's full bodied laugh, and his love for family. May God Bless you, and hold you in His arms.
Love,
Doug & Carole Smartt
November 8, 2018
Uncle Joe was the best! The most kind, loving, thoughtful guy out there. We will miss him dearly. Love to Aunt T and all the Perrotta's. xo Laura, Rob and Georgia
Robert Frey
November 8, 2018
I was shocked to hear of Joe's sudden passing. We were fellow sailors and Destroyer men on the Norfolk water front and good friends on the golf course. He will be missed. My sincerest condolences to his family. God Bless.
Robert D. Frey
Captain USN (Retired)
Proud Pete Reunion
John Mickelson
November 8, 2018
John Mickelson
November 7, 2018
Theresa,
So very sorry and saddened to here of Joe's passing. I am greatful we had the chance to reconnect at the Proud Pete reunion in 2017. My condolences to you and the family. Fair winds and following seas shipmate.
John Mickelson
Kevin Seery
November 7, 2018
Dear Theresa,
Beyond saddened to hear of Captain Perrotta's passing. He was a mentor from the time I met him at OP-39 in the Pentagon through my service aboard PETERSON. Without question, one of the finest people I have ever met. Many great memories from those years. My sincerest sympathies.
Kevin Seery
USS PETERSON and OP-39
Charles McLean
November 7, 2018
Fair winds and following seas to Captain Perrotta. Served with the Capt. on USS PETERSON DD 969. Great Executive Officer and shipmate.
Steve Chadwick
November 6, 2018
Dear Theresa,
Maureen and I send our condolences to you and the girls. We were shocked and saddened to get the news from Don and Moe Loren. Joe was so full of life in every thing he did, it is hard to imagine he will no longer be with us the Navy community - he will be missed greatly. We will be donating in Joe's name to Folds of Honor.
Steve and Maureen Chadwick
USS PETERSON
Michael Arrabito
November 6, 2018
My deepest sympathy, to the Perrotta family, Capt Joe Perrotta was a good and decent man. He will be missed. It was and honor and a pleasure to serve underneath his command while he was XO on board the USS Peterson DD 969.
Scott Petetson
November 6, 2018
There is a special place in heaven for warriors. RIP.
Michael Arrabito
November 6, 2018
To the family of Joe Perrotta, your father was my excutive officer on board the USS Peterson, the day he relieved Commander Collins as the XO, both Commander Collins and Commander Perotta, inspected all us Sailors, as we stood in formation or muster. When Commander Collins and Perotta finally approached me, Commander Collins said to Commander Perrotta, this is Seaman Arrabito, I then said to Commandr Perotta, how are you doing there pasian, Commander Perotta shot back, i'm not your pasian. Fact is he was my paisan, many times while in port, you needed permission to get 72 hours liberty pass, Commander Perotta, always gave you the pass. On one condition, i bring him back Italian pastries from NYC. When i became the ship barber, he would always come down every morning into the barber shop, for his cup of instant Madglia Doro gold seal espreeso coffee, i used to get in a care package from home. Your father reminded me so much of my Dad, he will be missed. My deepest condolences.
November 6, 2018
Prayers from the Johanns Family. Good man. GOD speed.
RM2 Brett JOJO Johanns
Terrence Gipson
November 6, 2018
My condolences to Captain Perrotta's family, always hazy gray and under way for him, hard leader but best man to go to battle with because you knew he had you prepared for the worst so you were sure to survive
November 6, 2018
I didnt agree with Capt. Perrotta on a great many things, but I learned when things got messy, he was the man to follow. I would have sailed anywhere under his command without question. Thanks for getting us through sir.
Cindy Campbell
November 6, 2018
My deepest sympathies to the Perrotta family. He was a great man, a great leader and one of the finest naval officers I have ever known. I served with him at the Atlantic Fleet headquarters. May you Rest In Peace shipmate.
David Vignola
November 6, 2018
My condolences and sympathies to the Prerotta family. I served onboard the USS Stump during Joe's time as commanding officer. Joe ran a tight ship and was affectionately known as "Big Joe." Rest in Peace my friend.
ERIC HARDY
November 6, 2018
ERIC HARDY
November 6, 2018
ERIC HARDY
November 6, 2018
ERIC HARDY
November 6, 2018
November 6, 2018
Theresa and Family,
We are terribly saddened to hear of Joe's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Joe was a great man who loved family and Country, and was a leader among men. He was a guiding light for those who had the honor to serve with him. He will be greatly missed.
John and Barrie Jeffcoat
November 6, 2018
R.I.P. Captain , GMG1 Jack Dickey USS Stump DD978
Robert Morrissette
November 6, 2018
RIP Skipper. It was my honor serving with you on the Normandy sir. Many prays to you and your family. OSCS (ret) Robert Morrissette
Greg & Jan Franceski
November 6, 2018
Theresa and family,
Jan and I are saddened by Joe's unexpected passing. We send our deepest sympathies to all of you. Joe is certainly resting at peace with our Lord, who is also there to give you strength and consolation during this sad time. Joe was a wonderful man and a friend to many. We will always remember him fondly.
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