Ret. Lt. Col. Michael B. “Tony” Perino, 84, died Friday, March 25, 2016 at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, Illinois.
Mr. Perino was born July 14, 1931, near Deer Grove, Illinois, the son of Ralph and Catherine (Carchidi) Perino. He graduated salutatorian in the class of 1948 from Walnut High School. His sister, Delarosa, was valedictorian. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1952, graduating third in his class from the University of Notre Dame, and his master’s degree in 1953 from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He was a 22-year veteran of the United States Air Force, and served as a fighter pilot in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1973. He was awarded the Purple Heart, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, two Combat Readiness Medals, seven silver and four bronze Air Medals, four Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, the Air Force Commendation Medal, three Outstanding Unit Awards, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, four silver and two bronze Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palm, two silver and one bronze Vietnam Service medals and four Presidential Unit Citations. He retired in 1975, residing in Florida until 2012 when he returned to Illinois.
He is survived by his daughter, Christina Perino, of Buckeye, Arizona; sisters, Elizabeth Beelendorf, of Naples, Dolorosa Bender, of Silverdale, Washington, and Constance Dominguez, of White Fish, Montana; brother, John Perino, of North Fort Myers, Florida; sisters-in-law, Margery Perino, Gloria Perino and Jeanne Perino; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and four sisters.
A celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial was held April 2, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Tampico, Illinois. Burial followed at St. Mary Cemetery, Tampico.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Illinois Veterans Home, 1707 N. 12th St., Quincy, Illinois 62301.