Michael F. Perna, 47, of Latham and formerly of Gloversville and Broadalbin, passed away on February 9, 2016, at Albany Medical Center following a brief illness. He was born April 2, 1968, in Gloversville, New York to Robert J. and Maria J. (Clemente) Perna.
He was a 1986 graduate of Gloversville High School. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He received an honorable discharge from service in 1994. He graduated from FMCC in 1992, where he was selected to be the speaker at the commencement ceremony. He then continued to pursue his education in criminal justice at SUNY Albany, where he received a bachelor’s degree in 1993 and a master’s degree in 1994. He then continued his love for education and learning by teaching criminal justice at HFM BOCES, FMCC, Empire State College, Broome County Community College and Nassau County Community College. He was currently employed at the Research Foundation for SUNY in Albany and at the Bethlehem YMCA. His greatest loves were his two sons, Brandon and Jordan. He was very proud of his sons and enjoyed spending time with them especially playing sports, talking about sports and talking about their education and dreams.
Michael is survived by his sons, Brandon M. Perna and Jordan T. Perna of Broadalbin; his mother, Maria J. (Clemente) Perna of Gloversville; his father and stepmother, Robert J. and Coreen (Parillo) Perna of Niskayuna and his maternal grandmother, Concetta (Clemente) Montanaro of Gloversville. He is also survived by his siblings, Christina Myers of Las Vegas, Robert Perna (Tricia) of Las Vegas, Alyssa Britt (Jason) of Buffalo and Lt. Cmdr. David Perna of Fort Worth. He is also survived by special friend and the mother of his children, Alicia (Korona) Wilson of Broadalbin and his very special friend, Deborah Carey-Kilcullen of Latham. He is survived by nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfathers, Frank Clemente and Albert Montanaro; and by his paternal grandparents, Louis and Mary Perna.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a fund to be established for his children in care of Alicia Korona Wilson.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 12, 2016, at the Amsterdam Funeral Chapel, 13 Belmont Place, Amsterdam, NY from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2016, at the Amsterdam Funeral Chapel followed by a mass at 11 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Church, 50-52 Cornell Street, Amsterdam, NY. Burial will be in the spring at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Johnstown, NY, with full military honors.
