Obituary of Rose Perlich

Perlich, Rose, Rose Perlich (Marrocco - Solone) passed away on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 in Birmingham, Alabama at the age of 89 after a prolonged illness. Rose Perlich was born in Rochester, New York on May 16, 1920. She was the youngest daughter of Liborio and Maria Marrocco, both from Caltanissetta, Sicily. The Italian heritage was strong in the Marrocco family but so was the love for their newly adopted country of the United States of America. Food was a major passion throughout Rose's life. From her memories of traditional Italian family dinners as a child to working in the family grocery store as a young adult to managing the restaurant Candy Land in Rochester as an adult. She loved the preparation and especially the serving. All of this influenced the home she would make for her family. Dinner together as a family was mandatory and anyone who walked in the door was "family". Her motto: "You never ask if someone is hungry, you simply assume that they are!" Rose Perlich was very active in civic organizations and activities. She was an active member and served in leadership roles in the Italian Woman's Civic Club and the Federation of Woman's Club's of Rochester. Rose was a hostess for 32 consecutive years for the Scholastic Art Show to support young local artists and volunteered for over 50 years for the Susan B. Anthony House to in honor of the legendary civil rights leader. One of Rose Perlich's numerous civic activities included the efforts to build Park Ridge Hospital in Greece, New York. At the dedication of the hospital, the key note speaker, Vice President of the United States, Nelson Rockefeller noticed one of Rose's signature hats in the crowd. At the reception that followed, with Secret Service in tow, the Vice President sought her out in order to shake her hand and complement her on the fine hat! The Marrocco family was a card playing family and Rose played cards virtually every day of her life. Her favorite game at home was Pinochle but she was also an accomplished Bridge player who achieved the level of Master from success in numerous American Contract Bridge League tournaments. Everyone who knew Rose understood the very special place in her heart for Mary Cariola's Children's center. As a long time personal friend of Mary Cariola, Rose volunteered for years at the Center and was an adopted Grandmother to many children through the years. The volunteering included sponsoring birthday parties at the Center including many celebratory excursions for the children to Chucky Cheese. Rose also started a Card Party to raise money to help send the Mary Cariola children from the Center to summer camp. The Card Party, started in 1993, continues today with Rose being recognized as the founder. Rose was preceded by her parents (Liborio and Maria) and brothers; Mike and Pat and sisters; Mary (Delle Fave), Vicky (Davias) and Ida (Wasala). Rose was also preceded by her first husband, Mauro Solone in 1955 and her second husband, John Perlich Sr. in 2007. Rose lost two adult children before their time, son John Perlich Jr. in 1992 and daughter Charlotte (Solone) Nuciola -Velez in 1993. Rose is survived by; son Tom and daughter-in-law Holly of Birmingham, Alabama; grandson Phil Nuciola and wife Alison of Phoenix, Arizona; granddaughter Marlo (Nuciola) Gold and husband Dave of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; 4 minor grandchildren; Jonathan Perlich, Matthew Perlich, Nicholas Perlich, Sarah Rose Perlich and 5 minor great-grandchildren; Chelsea Nuciola, Olivia Nuciola and Lucien Nuciola, David Gold Jr. and Ava Charlotte Gold. The family will receive visitors at Falvo Funeral home 1395 N. Goodman Street from 5 pm to 8 pm on Friday, May 7, 2010. The Funeral Service will be Saturday in Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Greece, New York at 11:00 am and a graveside service for family immediately following. A lunch reception for family and friends will be held at the Brookhouse in Greece from 1 pm until 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to The Mary Cariola's Children Center or to a charity of choice.