Leo G. Perrone, 87, of Warwick, died peacefully on Thursday, July 19, 2018, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his beloved wife for 66 wonderful years, Ann (Ryan).
Mr. Perrone was Director of the Warwick Parks and Recreation Department for 15 years before his retirement in 1993. In that position, he was actively involved in the development of the Mickey Stevens Sports Complex, the Warwick City Park, and many other local parks and sports facilities. Consistent with his commitment to high standards in the Department, Leo earned the Certified Leisure Professional award from the National Recreation and Parks Association. Leo was especially proud of the many years he was able to help the poor and disadvantaged as Executive Director of Warwick Community Action and earlier, as Director of the Neighborhood Youth Corp. He was also a volunteer AARP Tax Counselor for 15 years. His service to low income families was recognized in a proclamation awarded to him by Governor J. Joseph Garrahy in 1978.
For much of his life, beginning with his Gorton High School Class of 1948, Leo was very active in many sports activities, both as a player, and later as a basketball, softball, and baseball official, and life-long Yankees fan. For 39 years, he was a member and officer of the Rhode Island Association of Basketball Officials, and in 2007 was inducted into that association’s Hall of Fame. He was a Collegiate Basketball Official for 11 years and was co-founder and member of the Warwick Umpire Association for 23 years. He recently was inducted into the Rhode Island Interscholastic Basketball Legends. Leo also found time to volunteer in his community, including serving on the Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees for 10 years and the Friends of the Warwick Public Library. He was also a lector for over 20 years, involved in many church activities, and a regular communicant at St. Rita’s Catholic Church for over 60 years. His dedication to his community was recognized by many organizations including: “CYO Man of the Year” (1957), Warwick Boys and Girls Club Man of the Year (1984), Bill Kutneski Basketball Heritage Award (1987), Warwick American Little League Hall of Fame, “Jack Cronin Award” for service as a recreation professional (1991), and the “Alice Sullivan Award” for service to women’s athletics (1995).
He was a loving and devoted father to two daughters, Linda D’Amato and her husband Sal of Whitinsville, MA, Lee Papa and her husband Joe of Warwick, and a son, Leo Perrone of Exeter, RI. He was the brother of Gloria Soroka and the late Carl & Robert Perrone, and brother-in-law of Yvette Perrone. He was the proud and loving grandfather of five grandchildren: Alyssa (husband Cory), Deanna (husband Cameron), Michael (wife Ashley), Emily and Kate (husband Andrew); and four great-grandchildren with number five arriving shortly.
His funeral was held on Monday, July 23, from the Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue, Spring Green, Warwick, with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Rita Church, 722 Oakland Beach Avenue, Warwick. Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Greenwich.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131. www.barrettandcotter.com
