Nick Perito Memorial

Dear Friends,

Despite the heartfelt optimism of his last email, we're very sad to tell you all that Dad lost his fight against pulmonary fibrosis this Wednesday morning, August 3. Mom was with him as he left, peacefully and without struggle.

We want you to know how very much your messages meant to him during these last difficult months. Every morning, we'd print out your emails, gather your cards and letters and head for the hospital. We'd sit at his bedside and read each one aloud to him. It was always the happiest part of his day.

We apologize for being slow to answer phone calls, but the number of messages became truly overwhelming. Many times, at the end of a long day at the hospital, we had only enough energy to hoist a glass of wine and call it a night.

If these last few months have taught us anything, it's that our dad was loved by an astounding number of people. Each and every one of you had a place in his expansive and generous heart.

What we all must do for him now is this: play some beautiful music, eat some fabulous food (preferably Italian), raise our wine glasses in his honor and wish him safe passage.

With all our love and deepest thanks,

The Perito family
Judy, Terry, Jennie, Danny & Shelia