Obituary of James Perna

JAMES D. PERNA, 49, of Beachwood, died Thursday, April 3, at Holiday Care Center in Toms River. Mr. Perna was born in Heidelberg, Germany. He lived in Beachwood and Toms River. He worked for Target Department Store, Toms River. He won gold medals in the Special Olympics for track and swimming. He was a recipient of the New Jersey State Star Achievement Award. He loved dancing, karate, 21 Plus and Super Heroes. His lifelong ambition was to drive a car. He was predeceased by his mother, Iola in 1995. Surviving are his father, Nicholas and his wife, Penny of North Carolina; two brothers, Nicholas Perna and his wife, Diane of Beachwood and Mark Perna of Philadelphia, PA; two sisters, Lisa M. Perna of Toms River and Denise Ippolito and her husband, Fred of Brielle; three nephews, Michael Perna, Nicholas Perna and Michael James Perna; two nieces, Jennifer Farano and Alea Perna and many dear friends. Relatives and friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St. Catherine Blvd., Toms River. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in the funeral home. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Brielle. Arrangements are under the direction of Manchester Memorial Funeral Home, Whiting. For further information, go to www.manchestermemorial.net