Joseph Anthony Perrino Memorial Resolution
WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that the members of this chamber learned of the departure of Joseph Anthony Perrino, beloved CEO of Home Run Inn Pizza Restaurants, on Thursday, July 19th, 2018, at the age of 64; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed body has been notified of his passing by the Honorable Matthew O'Shea, Alderman of the 19th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Joe was part of a legendary family business that not only shaped his career, but greatly influenced the Chicago pizza industry; and
WHEREAS, Joe's grandparents, Mary and Vincent Grittani, began the family empire when a winning run from a neighborhood baseball game shattered the front window of their newly purchased tavern in 1923. From then on, the restaurant was known as Home Run Inn. In 1942, their daughter and Joe's mother, Loretta, married Joe's father, Nick Perrino, who was searching for a job after returning from WWII. In 1947 Joe's grandmother and father together developed the recipe for Home Run Inn pizza; and
WHEREAS, Originally planning on a career in dentistry, Joe Perrino decided to enter the family business. In 1990, after Joe's father passed away, he was promoted from Executive Vice-President to President and CEO of Home Run Inn; and
WHEREAS, Under Joe's leadership, the company thrived economically. The company built USA manufacturing facilities in 1987 and 1996 to keep up with the growing demand for its pizza. By 2017, Joe Perrino had helped turn Home Run Inn into an $80 million-per-year business, with nine Chicago-area restaurants and frozen pizzas sold in 35 states. It is also currently the number one selling frozen pizza brand in the Chicagoland area; and
WHEREAS, In 2012, Joe and his two sisters started the process of transferring the business to their children, preparing for them to completely take over in 2019. Joe's most treasured project will now be able to stay in the trusted hands of the Perrino family; and
WHEREAS, Joe was preceded in death by his loving parents, Nicola and Loretta Perrino. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Kathleen S. Perrino, nee Westergaard; his three children, Gina (Sean) Bolger, Nick (Christina) Perrino and Renee (Paul) Storie; his eight grandchildren, Lexi, Sammie, Seany, Joey, Mikey, Lily, Anthony and Logan; his two siblings, Lucretia (Dan) Costello and Marilyn (John) Carlson; and host of extended relatives and treasured friends; and
WHEREAS, He was a leader for more people than just his family. In Crain's Chicago Business, the longtime Oak Park resident was named a "40 Under 40" in 1993. Joe was known for being an honest, funny and fair boss who was well-respected by all. He will be deeply missed, but the
memory of his admirable character, enthusiastic work ethic and strong family values will live on in those who knew and loved him; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twentieth day of September, 2018, do hereby express our sorrow on the passing of Joseph Anthony Perrino and extend to his family our sincere condolences.
Be It Further Resolved, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Joseph Anthony Perrino as a sign of our sympathy.