North Andover — Benedict A. Perrone, 91, of North Andover, better known as “Ben”, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 11, 2012, at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill, after an illness of three months with his daughter and son-in-law by his side.
Born in Lawrence, on April 9, 1921, he attended local schools, graduating from Lawrence High School in 1939. He also attended Boston University School of Business. He started his career at Davis and Furber when the family moved from South Lawrence to N. Andover in 1939, and he worked there for 17 years before changing careers to work for Raytheon Company in Andover, where many knew him as “Gentle Ben”. At 71, he retired from Raytheon where he had worked in management for 33 years. He also worked part time at Kap’s Men’s Store for 41 years. He loved helping people pick out their clothing and was great at dressing his colleagues for success.
Ben lovingly provided for his family and set great examples for his children. He was predeceased by the love of his life, his sweetheart, Josephine, with whom he enjoyed 67 wonderful and blessed years. Josephine passed away on February 28, 2008. Benedict was predeceased by his parents, Antonio (Tony) and Ursula Perrone.
Benedict was a well known and respected resident of North Andover and was very active in the community as a member of the North Andover Lions Club for many years, the Andover/N. Andover “Y” Health Club for over 50 years and the Raytheon Retirees Club. He was a regular attendant at the 4 p.m. Saturday Mass at St. Michael’s Church and was very proud to be a member of his church. He was a special dad, his wife and children always came first in his life and he was proud of his family, creating a safe and warm home.
Much devotion was shown to his wife, as well as his children and their families, his grandchildren and their families and his great-grandchildren. He was always so proud of them all…always.
Survivors include his daughter, Ursula St.Louis and her husband, Richard; his son, Anthony (Tony) and his wife, Margot; grandchildren, Brian St.Louis, David St.Louis, Jeanine (St.Louis) Stern and her husband, David, and Morgan Perrone; great-grandchildren, Brianna and Logan Stern. Also surviving is a sister, Antoinette Perrone, and his nephews and cousins.
Wiithout Dad, there will be a major void in all our lives that can never, ever be filled. He will remain in our hearts forever and ever. We face our loss with solace knowing that he is in a better place with Mom and his parents, and one day we will all meet again. Until then…we’ll miss you, Dad. You were the best!
Many thanks to all the doctors, nurses, aids, social workers, etc., we have encountered through these past three months. Thanks to the nurses on the third and fourth floors at the Merrimack Valley Hospital. They all went beyond the call of duty. And thanks so very much to the nurses, aids, case workers, etc., at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill, for making Dad so very comfortable in his last week in life. They were beyond supreme and are truly “angels”. We will never forget how wonderful you comforted Dad in his last days. He looked so comfortable. It was an amazing experience and a truly amazing place to bring a loved one. Many thanks, also, to very special friends, Dad’s and ours, the priests from St. Michael’s and all who have supported us through his illness. You know who you are, and you won’t ever be forgotten.
ARRANGEMENTS: Donations in the name of Benedict Perrone may be made to the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Avenue, Haverhill, MA 01830.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 15, 10 a.m., at St. Michael’s Church with burial following at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, North Andover. Family and friends are invited to call on Friday, December 14 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Conte Family Funeral Home, 17 Third Street, North Andover.
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