Gloria Perrone

Gloria Angelica Perrone (née Petrosino) passed away peacefully on November 21, 2024, at the age of 97 in Long Branch, New Jersey. Born on March 29, 1927, in Brooklyn, Gloria dedicated her life to nurturing the minds and hearts of others as a teacher, teacher trainer, reading specialist and coordinator, assistant principal, and acting principal.

Gloria was a beacon of kindness, generosity, and love, deeply devoted to her family and her faith. She attended PS 92 in New York City, followed by Roosevelt High school in Brooklyn, and pursued higher education at  Brooklyn College and Manhattan College where she attained her master degree in education and one in Reading and Administration. She taught for over two decades, and presented reading workshops at Manhattan College, Lehman College, Hunter College, City College, and Hofstra University. She presented workshops many times in The Concord in New York. She received honors for her innovative program PARENTS AS READING PARTNERS, which was recognized  and given a special award to her by State Senators in Albany. She was selected by the state to be a coordinator liaison between state and district school boards. She was given a special award for excellence by the UFT. She was the corresponding secretary of the Bronx Reading Council and then progressed to Treasurer and was President Elect of The Manhattan College Reading Council.

She stressed the value of family, faith and education to her children. Beyond her professional achievements, she was a passionate gardener, a skilled cook, and enjoyed international travel with her family, beach outings, creative writing, and ceramics.  While she never had a dog growing up she became the mother of Shampoo and Misty who lived with her in her later days, Gloria came from a family well entrenched in public service. Her great uncle was the famous Joseph Petrosino who was the first Italian-American detective in New York City. Joseph Petrosino was assassinated on the streets of Palermo, Italy while on a top secret mission to expose key members of the Black Hand who had ties to the government. Gloria's father Prospero and his two brothers continued in his footsteps and all became high ranking members of the New York City Police Department. Prospero was involved in many high publicity investigations including taking down the members of infamous Murder Incorporated gang.

Gloria had one brother, Anthony (deceased) and one sister Geraldine (deceased) who was her best friend and confident throughout her life. The two were inseparable.  After their marriages, they lived next door to each other in the Bronx and the families did everything together from Sunday dinners, to holidays to multiple vacations after retirement.  Summers were spent on the beach together in Long Branch. Holidays consisted of having 25 or so people gathering together and feasting for up to 12 hours a day in small apartments in the Bronx. The tight spaces disappeared due to love, fun times and closeness of the family and celebration of the meal. Gloria's mother and father also lived in the same apartment building in the Bronx with her grandmother having a room in the basement. Gloria and her late husband John were married for 47 glorious and loving years with three children. In the mid 1970’s Gloria bought a home in Long Branch, New Jersey and every weekend and summer the family of 7 packed into the family car and went to the shore. Eventually she and her husband retired and moved down to Long Branch permanently.    

A long-time parishioner of Star of the Sea Church, Gloria lived her faith through her actions and commitment to her community. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth and caring, survived by her children, John Jay Perrone (Attorney) and his wife Caren; Perry Perrone (Prosecutor), and Janice Chapman (Early Childhood Specialist Curriculum Developer/Administrator and her husband Rob, who all will miss her deeply. She also leaves seven loving grandchildren: Gianna LPC LCADC and Graham Executive, Assistant District attorney from her daughter, Dr. John Anthony, Nicholas and Christina from her son John, and John Patrick and Christopher from her son Perry. She also is survived by Doreen- her aide, caregiver, cook, nurse and best friend forever who for 6 years selflessly took care of her day and night 24 hours a day until the day she died. 

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 25 from 5-8 pm at Damiano Funeral Home in Long Branch. Funeral Tuesday, 9:30 am at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am at Holy Trinity Church in Long Branch. Entombment will be at Woodbine Mausoleum in Oceanport. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to St. Joseph's Indian School, PO Box 100, Chamberlain, SD 57325, or via the web https://give.stjo.org/site/Donation2?df_id=1740&1740.donation=form1&s_src=memorial-pg&autologin=true, honoring her lifelong commitment to education and helping others. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link above.

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