Michael Perando

Michael (Mike) Dale Perando of Piqua, Ohio peacefully passed in his home filled with love surrounded by family and friends on the night of October 4th, 2024.

Michael was born on August 15th, 1958 in Petijean-Sidi Khacem, Morocco, to Edith Perando (Mason) and Frank Perando, both of whom proceed him in death. Mike has three siblings Tawana Ammon who also proceeds him in death, Steve Perando (Amie Perando) of Sperry, Oklahoma and Valinda Perando-Proffitt (Russell Proffitt) of Hamilton, Ohio. 

Michael has one surviving daughter, Ashley Perando (Nathan Tolle) who he shares with his life partner of 31 years, Patricia Forsythe. He has two stepchildren Melissa (Tony) and Joseph (Jennifer). Michael also has five grandchildren Cody, Chelsie, Braedon, Zaydron, and Eli. As well as six great grandchildren Kayden, Carter, Tommy, Lyla, Dominic and Aleah.

As a new adult in the 70s, Michael joined the United States Marine Corps where he served as a Marine sniper until his discharge in 1978. He took such great pride in his country and fellow soldiers and veterans. That pride was always very obvious too! 

Along with being a marine and a family man, he was also an avid NASCAR fan, Dallas Cowboys and Ohio State Buckeyes fan, fisherman and Master Carpenter.

Michael knew how to enjoy the little things in life that can be easily dismissed, such as working in his yard on a sunny day (one of his favorite hobbies) or sipping his coffee while listening to the birds chirp. He loved walking around flea markets, watching movies with his life partner, throwing frisbee (especially on the beach), playing cornhole, doing backflips into pools at 60 years old, sitting on his daughter’s patio while listening to the water fountain trickle, riding bicycles, and just cruising country roads.

One of Michaels many other attributes was how giving he was. He was always quick to provide help to anyone that needed it and never expected anything in return. If you needed someone to sit with, he was there. If you need physical labor, he was there. If you needed knowledge, he was there. His Italian blood line may have made him a hot head at times, but his heart always remained tender and true.

Michael felt the most like himself though, when he had a tool in his hand. He took great pride in his extensive knowledge and ability to build a home from the ground up to the laying of the roof and everything in between. Carpentry fueled him, always. He and his dad started a construction company when he was a young adult, and he continued his passion for building until he retired at 65 from ABC Construction in Piqua. Even after his retirement and diagnosis, Michael refused to allow his cancer to stop his passion, so he put his skills to work one last time this summer, in helping his son in law and grandson build a clubhouse that surely rivals all other clubhouses! Fighting through his illness, he poured his love, protection and devotion into every board placed and every nail securing the foundation. With this last build Michael left behind a beautifully built legacy.

His fight didn’t stop there. On Sept 13 (3 weeks before his passing), Michael left Ohio for one of his favorite places, Destin, Fl. Michael, and his family received so many blessings in this week. Michael was able to soak up the sun sitting on white crystal quartz sand, with the warm emerald water splashing his feet and the burdens of his cancer temporarily blowing away in the salty wind. He was able to walk the beach, unassisted, one last time and experience his first ocean kayak ride with his daughter and son-in-law. Michael was so blessed to enjoy this week with zero health complications. Nothing but fun in the sun and enjoying family.

After returning from Florida, God told his family, through the doctors, that Michael would be going home to him soon.

In those last 2 weeks leading to his homecoming, he was showered in so much love and presence from family and friends. During this time, blessings were coming in all shapes and sizes. A few of those many blessings include his wish of eating one more maid-rite from his favorite sandwich shop in Greenville, Ohio, getting to sit on his newly finished deck with his life partner for the first time, and seeing his 19-year-old grandson in his brand-new corrections officer uniform for the first time too. Watching his eyes light up and his smile from ear to ear, Michael said, "Help me out of this chair, I want to stand for a picture with my grandson" A true testament to his strength and his love for his family.

The biggest miracle happened around 1pm on Oct 4th, when Michael accepted Jesus into his heart and expressed his trust that God would take care of him. 8 hours later, Michael was cancer free and, on his way, home with the Lord.

An immensely strong man.

A child at heart.

A give the shirt off his back type of person. 

A legend. 100%

And he will be severely missed by all those who were blessed enough to know him and love him.