Gene Lee Perna

Gene Lee Perna, 65, of Farmville, Virginia, formally of New Port Richey, Florida, went home to be with the Lord May 17, 2012. Gene courageously battled COPD for 20 years. He died peacefully in the arms of family, with the support of Hospice, and His pastor Frank Lacey. Gene was born November 3, 1946 in Richmond, Virginia and was raised in Front Royal, Virginia by his mother, Ruth Mae Pounds, until he was ten years old. At that time he was given up for adoption to a couple in Virginia Beach, Virginia. They moved Gene and his sister to Westminster, Colorado. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy as a Seabee and served his country during the Vietnam War. He spent much of his adult life in New Port Richey, Florida. His talent for creating and building led him to his life's work in construction trades. Most recently, he and his wife moved to Farmville, Virginia to be closer to family. Gene is survived by a large blended family. His loving and devoted wife of 23 years, Linda Colvin Perna and two step-children; daughter April Proper and husband Jim Proper, of Erie, PA, and son Preston Colvin and partner Tiago Barros, of Atlanta, Georgia; two daughters, Becky Perna Mills and husband Mark Mills, of Farmville, Virginia and Jennifer Van Riper and husband Ryan Van Riper, of Annapolis, Maryland; one son William Daniel Perna of Bath, New York; five grandchildren; and a beloved sister Kittie Marie Forbes and husband Milan Forbes of Catawaba, North Carolina; and faithful and loyal mini dachshund, Lil Charlie Brown. Predeceasing Gene was his adoptive father, William Perna, retired Navy ENC, and wife. His close friends and family had the honor of seeing his glorious salvation and rebirth on April 16, 2012;the old life is gone, a new life has begun; 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT Puckett Funeral Home is serving the family

Service:
Services will be private