Rudolph Persin

Rudolph Persin, age 95 of Bazetta Township, passed away on Sunday evening, March 20, 2011, at Trumbull Memorial Hospital. He was born April 13, 1915 in Sharon, Pennsylvania the fourth child of the late Jacob and Elizabeth Zug Persin. Rudy was a June 1933 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School. After graduation, he worked part time at Jerry's Market, near trolley stop #37 1/2 in Warren. When times were good, he worked at temporary jobs at American Welding and at Republic Steel, where his father and brother Joe worked. Rudy served in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) for 6 months in 1936 at the Yellow River Dam in Montana. He then was called back to work at Packard Electric until 1942. Rudy then enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy from 1942-45 as an aviation metalsmith first class. After his honorable naval service, he became part owner of the Horseshoe Bar in Warren with his brother Joe and brother-in-law, Ed Konnen. He also worked at Packard Electric during that time. He worked as a short order cook for his brother, Jack, at his neighborhood bar in Struthers and as a bartender for his brother, Joe at the Carioca (later Lefty & Jim's) in Warren. Rudy and his wife, Jean, then moved to and lived in Phoenix for 3 years, where he worked as a mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service. He retired August 31, 1980 as a metallurgist from Republic Steel (LTV) Corp., after 25 years service. Through the decades and well into his 90's, Rudy remained quite active. he was a skilled musician, singer and a scratch golfer. He was an active member of Calvary Presbyterian Church, where he had sang in the choir, served as elder and was a member of the church softball, bowling and golf teams. He was a member of Old Erie Lodge No. 3 F&AM and enjoyed singing in the masonic chorus and a 32nd degree mason with the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Youngstown, where he also sang in the choir. Rudy enjoyed playing banjo and bass fiddle in his brother, Jack's band. He loved to dance to the sounds of the Big Bands and polkas and was touted by all of his female family members to be a "smooth dancer". He enjoyed listening to Christian music and watching all spectator sports. He was an avid golfer and continued throughout his life to entertain by playing harmonica, base fiddle and banjo. Rudy is survived by his wife of 70 years, Genevieve Marie "Jean" Konchinsky Persin, whom her married October 5, 1940. Together they had three children. Rudy and Jean tried their best to instill character, values and integrity in their children. They led by example. He is remembered by friends, even into his last years, as an intelligent, gentle, kind and family-oriented man with a warm smile. Also surviving are one son, Bruce E. (Marie) Persin of Bazetta; one daughter, Sally Jo Persin of Pittsburgh; five grandchildren, Jessica (Wm. Art) Kenney of Spotsylvania, Va., Brittany Pemberton of Alexandria, Va., Stephanie (Jason) Uber of Boardman, Katelyn (Craig) Howell of Newton Falls and Nathaniel Persin of Bazetta and three great grandsons, Liam and Charlie Kenney and Seth Howell. Rudy was preceded in death by a son, James; one sister, Frances and three brothers, Jack, Frank and Joseph Persin. The family will receive friends from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 26, 2011 at the Roberts-Clark Funeral Chapel in Warren. Old Erie Lodge No. 3 will conduct masonic services at 10 a.m. Saturday followed immediately by the funeral service. The Rev. David Robert Black will officiate. Burial will be at Crown Hill Burial Park in Vienna, where military honors will be accorded. Memorial contributions may be made to the Calvary Presbyterian Church Building Fund in Warren or to the American Heart Association.