Michael A. Perate

Michael A. Perate, age 84, of Spring Township, died on Sunday, November 1, in the Reading Hospital, where he had been a patient for two weeks.

Born in Reading on January 30, 1931, he was the son of Frank J. Perate and Grace M. (Cusati) Perate.

He was the loving husband of his wife, Minnie A. (Nigrelli) Perate who he married on April 21, 1951.

Michael was a veteran of the United States Army. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and served in the Korean War. He was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart for his service.

Michael was a member of the Reading Police Department for 20 years, retiring as a Detective Sergeant. While on the job, he attended many inter-county detective schools and seminars in West Point, Pennsylvania; Philadelphia; and at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey.

He was also employed as a security officer for 10 years at Penn State Berks.

Michael was a licensed barber, graduating from Allentown Barber College. He volunteered his services for several years at the Topton Lutheran Home and at Berks Heim, where he was employed as a barber until his retirement.

Michael was a lifetime member of Victor Emmanuel II Society. He was member of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church.

Michael lived a life of service to others. He was a consummate family man; his family was his world. He valued hard work, personal integrity, and a sense of humor. He was loving, caring, and always ready with a smile or a helping hand. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Michael is survived by his beloved children, Diane Perate-High; Michael F., husband of Leica; and Marie, wife of Dale Smith. There are four grandchildren, Lauren Shaak, wife of Nicolas; Sarah Willman; and Michael and Anthony Perate, as well as two step-grandsons, Christian Jones and Bryce Smith. There is also one great-granddaughter, Arya Shaak.

Michael is also survived by his brother, Rocco Perate, and his wife Mary, and a brother-in-law, Alex Gallagher.

He was predeceased by his brother, Neil Perate; his twin sister, Angela Long; and sister, Mollie Gallagher; as well as his son-in-law, Robert G. High.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday November 7, 2015 at 10 a.m. in Holy Rosary R.C. Church, 237 Franklin Street, Reading, PA 19602. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery. A viewing will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, 19611. In lieu of flowers, donations in Michael's memory can be made to the Salvation Army, 301 South 5th Street, Reading, PA 19602. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.