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Leo Perras posted a condolence
Monday, November 25, 2019
I don’t know what to say…because I keep feeling this has been a terrible dream. I just keep waiting for a text or a phone call or for dad to show up looking through my back door. But its not gonna happen and I’m crushed, devastated, and infinitely sad. At the same time I can’t stop thinking about and feeling all the love that came flooding in since dad died. Everything that has happened in the last week has been about love for Leo, for dad…HUGE love for him and the impact he had on so many people and how important he was to so many of us.
So my dad showed me just how important it is both to love and to be loved. It was a process. It was a long journey. But the most important part is that we had to do it together. And I am a thankful, grateful, and hopefully a much better person because, together, we got there.
I had this whole idea of how things should go during this time. Anyone being both completely devastated and having to be empowered to keep going knows that nothing will be as it should again. I feel stuck in my head; and the events of the last week are relentless in their infiltration of every thought and every moment.
I suppose if you are reading this you know or know of my dad and so you know the love, in its many forms, that surrounded him for 70 years. This may seem like a thank you, it is; or about me, it’s not. It’s a tribute and a love letter. I think about every single moment in the last week and every single loved one that came to say goodbye to my dad, to Leo and I just cannot shake the feeling that everything was orchestrated by dad; bringing people together and being surrounded by loved ones. I felt his presence in every person and every detail of everything. I believe that he would want nothing more than to have every moment work out the way it did.
The most difficult thing I have done, is to have to stand feet away from dad and greet people in an endless line for over 4 hours. All the while glimpsing him out of the corner of my eye and waiting for him to wake up and stop the joke. But at some point, and it didn’t take long, I realized wow, holy $#!T, this is an endless line for over 4 hours of pure love and everything changed in me. Still sad and mad as hell at the fact that we have to be here 20 years too early I realize that all of this past week, as tortuous as it has been, has been about the LOVE surrounding dad and what a lucky guy he was to have been loved so greatly.
So this is the love letter to him and from him, through me, to everyone. A tribute to his spirit that flows through everyone.
We have been so blessed to have so much love of family and friends and it is exulting knowing that my dad lived in a world where he was loved so much. That love poured out from every one.
Love my cousins, my dad’s goddaughters, Melissa and Delania for giving spiritual readings in Church. Thank you for being calming, caring and engaging giving everyone a couple miraculous moments of peace and comfort. Dad would be so proud and smiling at how wonderful you both are.
Love my cousins, my dad’s nephews, the pallbearers, aka polar bears, who were so strong and compassionate along with Marc and me, lifted dad up for his final walks. Uncle Leo would be proud and honored to be supported by us “old” kids that he loved so much. Thank you Anthony, Dan, Jerrod, Austen, Patrick, and Kyle.
Love you Aunt Robin, who was so comforting and said something to me at the hospital that has stuck with me since and I hope forever. She said to “just put it out there” and that one statement gave me confidence to just let it go and not hold back. It allowed me to just be.
Love you Nanny Bev who enlightened me that these times, these moments are where we open our hearts to love and be loved. That put a comforting and loving perspective on the hurting and gloomiest of moments.
Love you Uncle Donny for the miraculous healing hugs. I regularly searched him out for his awesome, calming squeezes that would just release my dread. I highly recommend them! I attempted my own dread releasing hugs and I hope I didn’t squeeze too hard!
So much love to my wife Stephanie who has been everything for me nonstop. She jumped in everywhere when she knew we needed her. Things were just miraculously accomplished and the response was always “the young lady over there” or Stephanie “already took care of that”! She knew all the right moves at all the right times. I can’t love you or thank you more.
Love my kids...my 6 year old daughter who loves her poppy so much that is was one of the most difficult things ever, to have to break her heart by telling her that her poppy died. So devastated she proved she is such a brave, strong, smart, independent and beautiful girl and the love of my life.
…My three year old son who is my comic relief...our little goofball who always made Poppy smile and laugh and made the days much more bearable and made me laugh and smile...a lot.
OMG all the kids...the best kids ever. For all the quiet, somber, bummer moments these days they were the sunshine on the extra cold, cloudy and snowy November days. We all know Poppy loved having the kids running around and playing and making noise and we love them so much for it. It brought me peace as it always brought him. He loves his grandchildren Taylor, Quinn, Ronan, Paige, Madison, Griffin, Sydnee, and Saoisre beyond measure.
Love my mom Joan who was the nurturing support and love that her two boys needed, that only a mom has the superpower to heal.
Love our Pam, dad’s Pam…who was so devastated, and sad but so strong and brave. You are the example I followed during this time which I would not have been able to do without you. You were this family’s foundation that we all needed.
Love all the loving caring friends who knew my dad since he was a kid, or from the war, work, Fire Department, Church and all the friends who didn’t know my dad but knew someone else loved by him; or that knew him because of his sisters, children, cousins or anyone that he had so much love for that they came to support and share their love.
All the love from the long line of loved ones that went to school with Aunt Linda but knew her little brother and the large crew bringing love from Aunt Dawns office and Pam’s loving caring office who proved the world is so small when an old friend of my wife’s, who does not live close or know dad, shows up in the group...small world
Love all friends old and new for all the caring love and support that show just how much love surrounds dad.
A huge book of love and names could be written about all of the love, the compassion and the support that has enveloped dad and us this week. Our community of family and friends is colossal and can fill a city. Every one of you who are thinking about dad and giving love is beautiful.
Dad was all about family and friends and community…they meant so much to him. Even when he was quiet he was soaking it all in and loving every single moment. He was always so proud of everyone he knew and who they were and of the connections you shared. Thank you to everyone who shared in giving him his every single moment.
So just put it out there and open yourself to love and whenever you think of Leo Perras, our dad, husband, brother, uncle, cousin, teammate, buddy, coworker, veteran, firefighter, friend; stop for a moment and think of all the love you give and the love you get and open your heart and let it out and let it in.
So now “life goes on without me”. But it just doesn’t and it never will. I hope everyone will be just a little bit different from the impact dad had on everyone his heart touched. Even just a little bit in so many people touched by dad is going to be seismic.
I love you dad so much and I am going to miss you so hard. You’ll hear my love from my heart and my heart will feel your love from your spirit.
I cannot say goodbye…its hurts too much right now so I’m not gonna. I’m Just gonna say:
“Love you”
F
Frank T. Gragnano posted a condolence
Monday, November 18, 2019
My deepest condolences. Wishing you all the best in this difficult time.
Frank T. Gragnano
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Frank T. Gragnano & Philene & Jimmy Marabillas purchased flowers
Monday, November 18, 2019
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Frank T. Gragnano & Philene & Jimmy Marabillas
purchased the Blue Caribbean for the family of Leo Perras.
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Our deepest sympathies to our beloved family members. Wishing you the best in this difficult time.
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Delania posted a condolence
Monday, November 18, 2019
32 years! Wow! That’s how long it has been since we lost one of our own!
This past week our family lost its Patriarch, my Godfather and Uncle, Leo who I affectionately called “Uncleo”. He was a complicated and calculated man who fiercely and deliberately loved his family!
In life, he had his finger on the pulse of our entire Perras and Pasinella families. Always staying in touch through a call, text, a visit or a meal out. He would always bring back a snippet of his findings to share. He had an insatiable curiosity to collect information and figure out what makes something tick.
In addition to spending time together at all of our traditional family events and countless Sunday Fundays at the pool I had 45 minutes every five weeks to catch up one on one at the salon. We definitely had an exchange of sorts, he would fill me in on a piece of family history or what was going on in town. I would ask questions. We had a banter that was ours alone. On many occasions I had a broken item to show him that he would try to fix and often he would. Usually it was my clippers. I think I amused him or maybe frustrated him but that was our thing. Sometimes I would forget to trim his brows and he would wiggle them to get my attention. Truth is I only pretended to forget half the time because I thought it was cute when he did that. Before he left our appointment, I would hug him so tight, kiss him on his always freshly shaven cheek and tell him I loved him. Every single time! And every time his reply was, “OK Yep! “
So...if I was waiting for his loud proclamation of I love you...It was not to be. He did it HIS way in HIS time! I think that best sums up Leo!
Thank you for everything Uncle Leo, until we meet again, I love you, Delania
T
Tribute Store
Monday, November 18, 2019
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Joyful Memory was purchased for the family of Leo Perras.
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We are thinking of you during this difficult time.
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Trang Tran lit a candle
Monday, November 18, 2019
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I extend my deepest sympathies to you and your family. May the soul of your husband be at peace with our Heavenly Father.
H
Heather, Jena, Whitney, & Rylan purchased flowers
Monday, November 18, 2019
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Heather, Jena, Whitney, & Rylan
purchased the Peaceful White Lilies Basket and planted a memorial tree for the family of Leo Perras.
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How incredibly lucky and blessed we all are to have someone that makes saying goodbye so hard. Surrounding you with love.
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Deb Wright posted a condolence
Monday, November 18, 2019
Marc, Mary and Perras family,
Today and always, may loving memories bring you peace, comfort, and strength.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Auntie Debbie
C
Corky lit a candle
Sunday, November 17, 2019
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It will take many hours,days, and years-but although the hurt will subside a little, it will never go away. Beautiful memories with all those little ups and downs will be a great comfort to all of Leo’s friends and family. You’ll miss him much, it is true, but he’s watching down guiding his family and friends in spirit and loving you all still. His memory will always be dear as in the hour God took him home. When thinking of him, the tears will flow down your cheeks. Remember how dearly you loved him in life, so in death you’ll do the same...See you later buddy, Corky
J
Jennifer Carmichael & Timothy purchased flowers
Sunday, November 17, 2019
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Jennifer Carmichael & Timothy
purchased the Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum for the family of Leo Perras.
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Pam & family- May peace be with you during this difficult time. Leo will be missed. Much love.
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Noyrb Ydnamrod lit a candle
Sunday, November 17, 2019
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Leo Perras Sr. was one of a kind and will be greatly missed by everyone and anyone that knew him; especially by those whose lives he touched personally, including mine. From his keen culinary skills, to his unwavering selflessness and his devout interest in others. From a very young age, Leo always opened his home to me; even at my lesser and regrettable moments. He was always there to forgive me, even when we both knew I was 1000% in the wrong. As a member of the Speigletown Volunteer Fire Department, he personally came to the aid of both my grandparents (Roger & Martha Dormandy) at any hour of the night and never deterred from helping anyone and everyone he could when he was able. I can still remember the delicious meals he cooked for all those family celebrations I was invited to, all the way to the countless pancake breakfasts he cooked for at the annual Firehouse breakfasts. No matter how many times I failed in my efforts in Troy, all the way to Los Angeles, no matter how grandiose my goals are; Leo always supported me in any way he could. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Leo. You will not be forgotten. May you rest in peace.
B
Bryon Dormandy & Family purchased flowers
Sunday, November 17, 2019
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Bryon Dormandy & Family
purchased the America the Beautiful for the family of Leo Perras.
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Please accept my sincerest condolences & deepest sympathies. Leo was a warm, supportive and genuine man who made a significant mark in my life. RIP.
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Jeff lit a candle
Saturday, November 16, 2019
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Uncle Leo was/is part of a large family - so many siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and then some. As I got older I did not see him as much as others. However, whenever I did see him and speak to him, he always made me feel just as special and important to him as everyone else ....as he has always done. I am deeply saddened and sorry to learn of his sudden passing. I send my condolences to everyone who knew him, and especially to my cousins "Little Leo" and Marc. Rest easy Uncle Leo, you will be missed.
J
Jeff K. planted a tree in memory of Leo Perras
Saturday, November 16, 2019
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Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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The family of Leo J. Perras uploaded a photo
Saturday, November 16, 2019
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