Frank E. Perino

Frank was born July 15, 1928, in Iron Mountain, son of the late Max and Ann (Distasio) Perino. He graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1948 and was a SCARWAF Army soldier in the Korean War.

SCARWAF soldiers were an important component to our forces in Korea, overcoming personnel shortages and working around the clock to construct, repair and expand air bases for staging aircraft, often in hostile conditions. Frank participated in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2013 to commemorate his service.

Frank married Barbara “Babs” Foley on Oct. 24, 1953, at St. Mary & St. Joseph Catholic Church in Iron Mountain. She preceded him in death in 2023.

He was employed at Cummins Diesel as a mechanic for 29 years, retiring in 1993.

Frank was a long-time member of St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and usher. He enjoyed downhill skiing, snowmobiling, hunting and fishing.

Frank was loved by his family for his mischievous sense of humor, teaching his young nieces how to play poker and telling them ribald jokes when they visited. His favorite place was his camp at Rock Lake, where he stayed frequently, often bringing his dogs. Frank had three cocker spaniels over his lifetime — Molly, Reggie and Winston — whom he loved dearly.

Frank is survived by a sister-in-law, Frances [Joseph) Cerasoli of Iron Mountain; three nieces, DeeDee (Peter) Franz of Roseville, Calif.; Anne Cerasoli of Nashville, Tenn. and Laura (Kevin) Schmiegel of Arlington, Va., as well as a great nephew and niece, Jack Dempsey and Mary Frances Dempsey of Arlington.

Private graveside services will be held at Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Frank E. Perino online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.