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Perni was born Feb. 10, 1923, in San Mango, sul Calore, Provence of Avellino, Italy, to Gerald and Concetta Prizio Pierni. He left his hometown of San Mango sul Calore in his late 20s, first moving to Canada where he worked for a few years before immigrating to the United States. After his marriage he settled in Stamford. His early career in Stamford was as a mason and a landscaper. He became a general contractor and developer founding Soundview Construction, which eventually became Joe Pierni & Sons Construction.
Pierni is survived by his children, Diane DiNapoli (Michael DiNapoli Sr.), Joseph Pierni Jr., Camille Smuniewski, Gerald Pierni and his husband, Dominick Principe; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents; wife, Mary Uva Pierni; siblings, Marianna Pierni, Marino Pierni, and Carmine Pierni; daughter-in-law, Nicolina Pierni; son-in-law, John Smuniewski; and grandson, Robert Smuniewski.
Calling hours are Thursday, April 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford. A funeral procession will leave at 8:40 a.m. Friday, April 25 from the funeral home for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. at St. Leo’s Parish, 24 Roxbury Road, Stamford. Entombment will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery, Rockrimmon Road, Stamford.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pierni’s honor in memory of his grandson, Robert. Donations may be made to The Robert Smuniewski Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of JBHS (Joel Barlow High School), with Robert’s name in the memo, Attn: Debi Farrell, 100 Black Rock Turnpike, Redding, CT 06896.
To leave online condolences, please visit http://www.cognetta.com
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