PERSICHITTI, Michael J. Jr., 47, of Wheeling, W.Va., died Friday, January 13, 2017.
He was born September 26, 1969 in Uniontown, Pa. a son of the late Michael J. Persichitti Sr. and Marlene (Cales) Persichitti. He was Catholic by faith and a member of Local Union #188 Roofers and Sheet Metal.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Tonya Persichitti.
He is survived by his wife, Melinda (Shriver) Persichitti of Wheeling; five children, Anna Stimmell, Rachell Stimmell, Gabrielle Persichitti, Michael Persichitti, and Brett Persichitti; 2 brothers, Jason Persichitti of Republic, Pa., and Barry Persichitti of Allison, Pa.; two sisters, Tammy Persichitti Jones of Merrittstown, Pa., and Lisa Swartz of Republic, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received on Friday, January 20, 2017 from 2 pm until time of funeral service at 7 pm at the Altmeyer Funeral Home, 1400 Eoff Street, Wheeling, W.Va 26003.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.altmeyerfuneralhomes.com
I had the pleasure of working with Mike for a few weeks before his passing. I must say he was a very hard-working man. In addition he was also very kind and didn’t hesitate to stop working help out in Apprentice if they had a question. His passing is truely a tragedy and he will surely be missed. One of the kindest Journeyman I’ve had to pleasure of working with.
My sincere and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mike. Denny Albaugh
Our sincerest condolences and prayers for your family. No words can convey how much our hearts are heavy with Michael’s passing. Prayers for your family and loved ones.
The brothers and sisters of Roofers/Waterproofers and Allied Workers are heartbroken over the sudden and tragic loss of our brother Michael J. Perschitti. Gone far too soon….
Prayers go out to Mikes family Rest In Peace my friend
Dear Rachel & Family,
After hearing the tragic news of Michael’s death, I wanted to offer my condolences to you and your family. At death, it is always difficult to know what to say, so over the years I’ve put together some thoughts and have used them repeatedly as a means of expressing my sympathy. I hope they are of some comfort to you and your family.
From the Bible, Romans 6:4, “When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by Baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (The imagery is particularly clear when one visualizes baptism by immersion — a kind of “watery grave.”)
By Emily Dickinson, “Death is not a conclusion. A sequel stands beyond — invisible as sound, positive as music.”
By an unknown author, “As unlikely as it seems now, there will come a time when the joy of remembering is greater than the pain of loss.”
As I told my brother and sisters when our parents died, one of the ways we can keep them with us is to exemplify the best parts of their personalities in our own.
The hymn “All Creatures of Our God and King” was written by Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) when he was gravely ill, lying in a hut with mice running over him! Still he was able to say, “All creatures of our God and King…praise Him! Alleluia!” One stanza speaks about death: “And you, most kind and gentle death, waiting to hush our final breath, oh, praise Him! Alleluia! You lead to heav’n the child of God, where Christ our Lord the way has trod. Alleluia!”
A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room said, “Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.” Very quietly, the doctor said, “I don’t know.” “You don’t know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?” the sick man responded. The doctor was holding the handle of the door on the other side of which came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped onto him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, “Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing; I know my Master is there and that is enough.” (Unknown author)
Paraphrasing an old hymn: I don’t know what the future holds but I know who holds the future.
As I’ve often heard Rev. Dr. John Few say at funerals, “While we’ve lost a loved one, Heaven has gained a saint. Now we give back to God the loved one He gave us.”
My mom used to say that God didn’t promise us a “Rose Garden.” He could have made everything “easy” for us but then we would start thinking we have no need for God. Instead, He promised to be with us during difficult times so we would learn to depend upon Him in order that we would be drawn closer to Him. Jesus, himself, prayed not to have to go to the cross but did so anyway and was, thereby, drawn closer to God and saved us in the process!
It has been said that we’re not bodies with souls but rather souls with bodies. In other words, we’re fundamentally a soul, a spirit. God made us with a body to be His hands and feet here on earth to do His work but He allows that body to be only temporary so that we can return to being a spirit – not bound by the body-restraints of time and place – free to be anywhere, anytime, forever with God.
From the hymn “Now the Green Blade Rises.” Two stanzas seem to speak especially to the emotions surrounding funerals. “Now the green blade rises from the buried grain, wheat that in dark earth many days has lain; love lives again, that with the dead has been. Love is come again like wheat arising green. When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain, your touch can call us back to life again, fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been; love is come again like wheat arising green.”
Finally, anytime someone dies, the question “Why?” is always raised. Indeed, at Christ’s death, many asked, “Why?” But, as we can conclude from the quotes above, death is only a door through which Christians pass to Eternal Life in Christ.
God be with you!
Sincerely,
Dr. Wayne Earnest (Organist: Grace Lutheran Church)