Italo John Peruzzaro Jr.

Italo John Peruzzaro, Jr.  passed away at his home in San Mateo on September 21, surrounded by his family. In his last few years, Italo waged a gallant battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Born and raised in San Mateo, Italo attended St. Catherine’s Elementary school. He then excelled at Serra High School as Senior Class President and in football, boxing, and track and field earning a football scholarship to The University of San Francisco. Italo chose a path which led him to the College of San Mateo where he earned his Associate degree in 1957. 

In 1959, Italo answered the call to serve his country by joining The Army National Guard earning the rank of Sergeant and faithfully serving until 1965. During his years in the Army National Guard, he also met the love of his life, Joann Marie Del Bino, at a dance at the Sons of Italy Dance Hall in San Francisco. Italo romantically courted Joanne attending many dinners and dances in San Francisco and on the Peninsula, and they married April 18, 1964, at St. Vincent de Paul in San Francisco. Italo and his bride settled in what would become their long-time family home in San Mateo and where they would raise their two children Mark and Donna. 

Over an almost 30-year career with CM Peletz Construction Italo worked with many friends on numerous iconic projects in San Francisco and beyond, and intermittently spent about 5 years with his own business partner in the construction field. After Mark and Donna were born, Italo and Joann enjoyed taking the family camping and Italo became famous for his “Sunday Drives” – many spent scoping out possible hunting destinations, enjoying the Napa vineyards, the Half Moon Bay coast, and more.  Anyone lucky enough to go for a “drive” with Italo would have enjoyed stories of family, country, and history. 

In the late 1970’s Italo and Joann purchased property in Arnold, CA; Italo designed, and over a series of several summer weekends with the help of his family, built a dream mountain cabin. The legacy of the Arnold home lives on in the Peruzzaro family today. Throughout his life Italo enjoyed hunting and fishing; you could often also find him reading a good book detailing history, watching a western, or working on a home building project. For many years Italo kept a home aviary filled with bright canaries, and welcomed his family’s pets including dogs, ducks, birds, chickens, and a rabbit. Another favorite memory of Italo is that of his jolly portrayal of Santa Claus; Italo charmed family and friends as Santa for so many years that he wore out 2 Santa suits, and handed out hundreds of presents from his intricately decorated Santa bag.

Italo and Joann were married for 59 years. Upon retirement, the couple loved nothing more than spending time with family and friends, as well as travelling. Italo especially loved a cruise Joann and he took down the Danube, trips to Alaska, Italy, Paris, and Yellowstone as well his trips to Disneyland with his grandchildren when they turned 5 years old. 

Italo is survived by his loving and devoted wife Joann, son Mark of Fairfield, and daughter Donna (Thomas Lussier) of San Mateo. Also surviving are Italo’s grandchildren Andriana Peruzzaro, Mark Peruzzaro, Jr. (Taylor), Lorena Byrd (Chris) and Thomas Lussier, Jr. Also surviving are Italo’s brothers David (Pauline) Peruzzaro, and Rudy (Linda) Peruzzaro, 4 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on September 29th, Friday at St. Gregory’s Church, 2715 Hacienda Street, San Mateo, 94403. Donations can be sent to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road, S.W. Lilburn, GA 30047, 404/935-6444, lbda@lbda.org or a charity of your choice. Italo’s family appreciates all the love and support received during his illness.