Jerome V. Penna

SPRINGFIELD- Jerome “Jerry” V. Penna died September 6, 2010 at Baystate Medical Center. He was born on January 15, 1930 in Springfield, MA and worked as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 40 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth (LaFleur) Penna, his parents, Girolamo and Antoinette (Maziarz) Penna, and Antoinette’s second husband, Casimir Gruchala; his brother, Stephen Penna; and his sister, Annette Burke. A member of Holy Cross Church, Mr. Penna was a member of the Knights of Columbus. A letter carrier out of the Forest Park Station, he was the Million Mile Club award recipient for outstanding performance in driving one million miles or 30 years without a preventable accident. He had enjoyed his retirement years by maintaining a second home in Florida. He was known for his great sense of humor, his gift for gabbing, and for being Mr. Fix-It. His hobbies include his passion for Indian Motorcycles, bowling, Bingo, and being an avid Red Sox, Patriots, and Bruins fan. He leaves his loving family, his children: Jerome E. Penna (Ruth) of Springfield, Michael J. Penna (Cheryl), of Wilbraham; Elizabeth M. McCann and her partner, Donald Cloutier, of Canaan, ME, and Kathleen M. Donaghue (Matthew) of Hamilton, MA; sister, Maria Castellina, of FL; 13 cherished grandchildren: Chris, Mike, Sara, Lella , Marc, Nick, Alex, Nico V., Jess, Chase, Bryce, Flynn, and Julie; and 2 great- grandchildren, Kaylyn and Jaydin; and many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to funeral services for Mr. Penna on Thursday, September 9 at 12:30 P.M. at New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA. Visitation will precede the service from 11:30-12:30 P.M. with Rites of Inurnment to follow at St. Michael Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to a hospice of one’s choice. For directions and expressions of sympathy please visit www.nefcc.net