Joseph Edward Perrizo, Sr.

Joseph Edward Perrizo, Sr., age 86, died peacefully on Monday, February 10, at home. He was surrounded by family and spent the final weeks of his life enjoying the company of extended family and friends. As always, the house was filled with laughter, and Joe will be remembered for his irreverent sense of humor and comedic timing. Joe was born on March 7, 1938, to Edward E and Agnes (Promen) Perrizo in Fond du Lac, WI, where he resided his entire life. He graduated from Goodrich High School in 1957.

Joe married Judith Ann Hoffman of Leroy, WI, in 1962 and recently celebrated 62 years of marriage. Joe cherished his wife, two children, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Joe was a machinist and inspector for Giddings & Lewis for a combined total of almost 25 years. In 1976, he purchased General Vending Company and successfully operated and substantially grew the business for over ten years. He sold the business and returned to G & L until he retired in 1996.

Joe’s insatiable passion was rebuilding and restoring antique and classic cars, working nights and weekends in his garage. He was gifted an inoperable Model A at age 14 to tinker with, but Joe quickly got it running and drove it around town, much to the dismay of his parents. As a teen, he hung out & worked part-time at Wendt’s Auto Body, where he realized his natural talent and aptitude. He was a perfectionist; his craftsmanship and vision for the cars he built were legendary. Joe’s first show-quality restoration was an original 1931 Ford Victoria, and it won national championships in the early 1970s. His spectacular custom 1931 REO Royale was featured as a Luxury Street Rod in Super Rod Magazine’s September 2001 edition. Joe’s restorations are too numerous to list; he modified and equipped each car with his unique style and signature, and collectors around the country proudly own his creations. Joe is a founding member of the Fond du Lac Vintage Auto Club and a member of numerous other car clubs and associations.

He is survived by his wife, Judy; his daughter, Mary Jo (Joe) Villa of Janesville, WI; and his son, Joe Perrizo, Jr (Lisa) of Menominee Falls, WI; his grandchildren, Christopher Villa, Sara (Jordan) Marko, Katie Villa, Jack (Grace) Perrizo and Anne (Matt) Fox and his great-grandchildren, Aryahna & Carter Villa and Otis & Arlo Marko. He is further survived by his sisters Mary Eva (Paul) Demet and Christine Waldschmidt and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and his infamous garage buddies.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward E Perrizo & Agnes (Promen) Perrizo, and his sisters Agnes Reinhold and Patricia Redman.

Cremation has occurred. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Zacherl Funeral Home at 875 E. Division Street, Fond du Lac. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 59 E Merrill Avenue.

Memorials will be determined by the family at a later date.