Wellesley Football Star, Old School Pizza Owner Joe Perdoni Dies

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Joe Perdoni, a Wellesley football star who came back home to open a popular pizza shop, died last week.

Perdoni, 38, was married and had two children.

He graduated from Wellesley High School in 1995 and went on to play tight end and guard on the Georgia Tech football squad. He worked in sales after graduation. In 2011, he left his job to open Old School Italian Pizzeria.

“I’ve always loved to cook,” Perdoni said at the time. His restaurant has a 4-star review on Yelp.

Perdoni’s funeral was held Tuesday morning in Wellesley, where he will be buried.

A fundraising effort was set up for his children. It’s raised about $15,000 so far.

This is his obituary:

Joseph Perdino, of Sherborn, died May 13, 2015. Beloved husband of Sarah (Monroe) Perdoni. Devoted father of Joseph D. Perdoni and Reece M. Perdoni. Loving son of Joseph Perdoni of Wellesley and Karen (Kasbarian) Perdoni of Framingham. Brother of Michael Perdoni of Worcester and Andrew Perdoni of Framingham. Also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Grandson of Henri Kasbarian of Wellesley Hills, the late Carol Greenfield, Guido and Gemma Perdoni.

Joe was a graduate of Wellesley High School Class of 1995, Georgia Tech and Northeastern University. Owner of Old School Italian Pizzeria of Wellesley. Joe was highly recruited out of Wellesley High School by many Division 1 college football programs and accepted a full football scholarship from Georgia Tech.

Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. (RT. 16) Wellesley, Tuesday May 19, at 9AM followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Paul Church, Wellesley at 10AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours on Monday from 3-8PM. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellesley.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Joe’s memory to the Joe Perdoni Family Trust for the benefit of his children, Joseph and Reece Perdoni, c/o Joseph Perdoni Sr. 6 Francis St. Wellesley, MA 02482.

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