Dr. Perillo was born on July 6, 1908 in East Harlem, New York to Felice and Louise Conforti Perillo. He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School, at the age of 16. In 1931, he received his B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. His love for his Alma Mater is well known by all who knew him.

Dr. Perillo earned a medical degree from New York Medical College and Flower Hospital in 1936. While there, he was the Editor-in-Chief of the medical school yearbook. He began his medical internship in 1936, at Metropolitan Hospital, N.Y. There, he met his future wife, Teresa Pricz. They were married on June 29, 1940. Teresa (Dude), his beloved wife of 64 years, predeceased him. He often said, "She was the best thing that ever happened to me."

Dr. Perillo served our country for 58 months during WWII. He was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army Medical Corps in 1941, and served in the Pacific and then the European Theatre until the war ended. He was honorably discharged from the Army as a Captain. His commendations included the Bronze Star Medal for Bravery, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

In 1947, Dr. Perillo started his pediatric practice. He significantly touched the lives of his patients and was beloved and respected by parents, nurses, and fellow physicians. Dr. Perillo celebrated his "Golden Jubilee" as Doctor of Medicine and received the Golden Merit Award from the Medical Society of New Jersey for 50 years of distinguished service as a practicing physician. He practiced in the Bronx, Staten Island, and Perth Amboy. He served as Director of Pediatrics at Perth Amboy General Hospital from 1968-1976. He was a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics, a member of the Middlesex County Medical Society, American Board of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, New Jersey Medical Association and the Richmond County Medical Association. He was also a member of the Catholic War Veterans.
When he retired from his medical practice at the age of 77, a colleague remarked that he could now do what he wanted, he replied, " I've been doing it."

Dr. Perillo also possessed a true gift for music. He was an accomplished violinist and pianist and also played the guitar, drums, and saxophone. His medical school yearbook stated, "When faced with the problem of choosing between a musical career and medicine, he chose the latter, and so a distinct gain to the medical field is a loss to the world of music."

He loved his family beyond measure. Surviving are his children: Peter and his wife Denise, Gail Maczuga and her husband John, Gary and his wife Fran, Terry Brenner and her husband Scott, Louis and his fiancée Joan Kelly. He has also been blessed with 12 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

A special thanks is given to Lily Zubiashvili, his care provider, and the JFK Medical Center's nursing and professional staff for such wonderful and compassionate care.

Funeral Services will be held 9:15 AM Wednesday July 21, 2010, at Flynn and Son/Koyen Funeral Home 319 Amboy Ave. Metuchen, NJ, followed by a 10AM Funeral Liturgy at Holy Spirit RC Church, Perth Amboy. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Hungary Cemetery, Fords. Viewing will be Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM.