Peter Perini

Published in The Arizona Republic from 9/13/2008 - 9/14/2008

Peter Perini, 80, died peacefully and in the company of his children at his home in Fountain Hills, Az on September 11, 2008.

Pete was born in New Village, NJ on February 10, 1928. He was a proud graduate of The Ohio State University, and was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. As a young man, he took full advantage of his God-given athletic talents, turning these gifts into remarkable success.

A high school state wrestling champion, Pete went on to excel in both baseball and football at Ohio State, earning an induction into the University's Sports Hall of Fame.

He played for the Boston Braves baseball organization, and in the NFL for the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns. His athletic achievements were capped by being a key part of teams that won both the Rose Bowl and the NFL Championship.

The lessons of sport served Pete well in his subsequent professional life and beyond. He worked in the Ohio Department of Corrections for nearly three decades, serving as Superintendent of the Marion Correctional Institution until his retirement.

His career and life were characterized by building and managing successful teams and helping individuals to realize their potential. Pete reveled in the professional and personal successes of those he mentored, and his final years were focused on his loving extended family.

He was preceded in death by wife, Merry Crum Perini, in 1991. Pete is survived by 3 children, Sherry (Bob) Hunkler of Fountain Hills, Az, Mindy (Ernie) Williams of Lagrange, OH, and Tom (Barb) Perini of Marion, OH; 10 grandchildren, Nick (Rachel) Perini, Lindsay Perini, Eric Perini, Logan Perini, Megan Williams, Tyler Williams, Aimee Williams (Tim) Wood, Ray (Jolyn) Williams, Kate (Travis Hollowell) Hunkler and John Hunkler; 7 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, including Vince and Barb Chiu of New Village, NJ; and his loving companion Dollie Miller of Sun City, Az and her family.

A memorial service will be held at 11am on Sat., September 13 at the Messinger Mortuary, 12065 N. Saguaro Blvd, Fountain Hills, Az. An additional memorial service will be held in Marion, Ohio at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Banner Hospice or a charity of the donor's choice.