Robert Francis Perusse, age 64, of Stratford, beloved husband of Barbara Marsan Perusse, passed away on Saturday, July 9, 2016 in Bridgeport Hospital. Bob was born in Bridgeport on April 19, 1952 to the late Francis and Gertrude (Lynch) Perusse, and has been a life long area resident.
As a youth, Bob played Pop Warner Football for the Lordship Bombers and Jets. His team flew to San Diego and participated in the Pop Warner Mother Goose Bowl. Although they lost, stories have been shared of the good times had. Bob graduated from Stratford High School, and then enlisted in the United States Navy in 1972. He served in Viet Nam, and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. He retired after thirty-seven years from United Parcel Service.
Bob coached Pop Warner Football and Little League baseball for many years. He always loved telling stories about the kids he coached; he was a great coach, mentor, and friend. He enjoyed his years with them. Bob was a man of many talents and interests. He loved sailing his NACRA5.2 on Long Island Sound with his lifelong friend, Kevin Rooney. In later years he built model airplanes, and then wooden ships. He built large lighthouses and gifted them to people that appreciated the workmanship it took to make them. Bob was most proud of his family. He always talked about his children, he was proud of their strong work ethic and the accomplishments they achieved, and was always their greatest cheerleader. He loves them very much. Taken from a quote from his lifelong friend, Kevin Rooney,"Bob was fearless". He never backed down from anything. People, challenges, old age. Even cancer. If he lacked a specific talent, he made up for it with dogged determination. He could fix anything. Bob's family would like to give a special thank you to the Oncology Floor at Bridgeport Hospital, and to Dr. David Witt and his staff of wonderful nurses that cared for Bob through this yearlong battle with cancer. Their excellent care, and words of encouragement were greatly appreciated. In addition to his beloved wife, Bob is survived by his devoted children, Laura, Brian and daughter in-law Tiffany. He was looking forward to meeting his first grandchild, Ava this fall. He is also survived by his siblings, Sharon (Loren), Cecelia (Shapleigh), Carol (Dino), and Sally Perusse. Mother in Law, Dorothy B Marsan, and brothers in law, Michael Marsan (Lee) and David Marsan (Linda).Bob also leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Nicholas Pavia on Friday, July 15th at 10:30 a.m. meeting directly at Our Lady of Peace Church, 651 Stratford Road Lordship. Interment with full military honors will be in St. John's Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may call on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. in the Adzima Funeral Home 50 Paradise Green Place Stratford. In lieu of flowers those desiring may make donations in Bob's memory to Smillow Cancer Center (Yale New Haven) www.givetoyalenhh.org/donate