Obituary of Leonard Michael Perna Jr.

Leonard Michael Perna Jr. of Maplewood, NJ passed away on December 21, 2024 at Copperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ surrounded by his family after a long illness.

Lenny was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Orange, NJ to Leonard and Marie Perna on September 3, 1955. He attended St. John’s Catholic School where he also served as an altar boy and Knight of the Altar, Orange High School and Irvington Tech before proudly enlisting and serving in the United States Navy. He has resided in Maplewood, NJ since 1984.

After an honorable discharge from

the Navy, he worked at Mitchell Supreme, Exxon Office Systems and Toast of the Town Tavern where he also opened and operated Perna’s Luncheonette. He then bought a Tastykake route which he ran until joining the Newark News Dealers. He worked as a truck driver for the News Dealers, City & Suburban News and The Star Ledger for over 35 years up until he entered the hospital this past summer. Lenny was a member of the Newspaper and Mail Deliverers Union (NMDU) and served on its Executive Board.

He was a member of the Orange Elks and has proudly served as a Trustee  in the past as well as the Orange Essex Civic League.

A man of many hobbies, Lenny took up everything from surfing and scuba diving, to hunting and fishing, to bowling and golfing among others but his longest lasting passion was for drag racing and cars. He raced for decades at Raceway Park in Englishtown, Atco and Island Raceways winning many trophies while driving his Novas and Camaro which he built and restored himself. An avid sports fan, most weekends you could find Lenny watching the Yankees, Giants or golf if he wasn’t rewatching one of his hundreds of favorite Western movies and series.

Lenny is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Cathi (nee Reitberger) and their three cherished children: Jennifer of Maplewood, NJ; Lenny III and his wife Annmarie of Fairfield, NJ; and Anthony and his wife Luz of Wharton, NJ. Lenny was a devoted grandfather to Massimo, Giuliana and Lorenzo who he loved spending time with and watching grow. He also leaves behind his adored dogs Baci and Apollo who were never far from his side and always beside him on his recliner or couch.

Lenny is also survived by his loving siblings: Rosanne Perna, Michael & Beth Perna, and Richard Perna, and Aunts: Angel Zirger, Madeline Henry, Rea Peterson and Kathy DeCheser, his niece Gina Perna, and nephews Richard and Michael Perna and Dillon and Bryan Reitberger. He leaves behind many cousins, brothers and sisters in law and friends who he loved dearly.

Lenny was predeceased in death by his Father Leonard, his Mother, Marie (nee Petroziello), his grandparents Angelo and Mary Perna, Rose and Carmine Zazzaro, and Louis (Rex) and Rose Petroziello and his nephew, James Reitberger. He will be greatly missed by all he leaves behind but happily we know he has been reunited with those who passed before him.

Anyone who met Lenny was instantly taken by his warm heart.  You will never meet a kinder, more compassionate, decent man.

In lieu of flowers his family asks that donations be made in Lenny’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Visiting for Lenny will be held on Sunday December 29, 2024 from 2:00 to 6:00 PM- at Dangler Funeral Home of West Orange, 340 Main St. in West Orange

A Funeral Mass will be offered on Monday December 30, 2024 at 10:00 Am At St. JOhn;s Church , 94 Ridge Street in Orange.

Entombment will follow at Hollywood Memorial Park in Union.