Samuel J. Pernacciaro

Dr. Samuel J. (Sam) Pernacciaro, 75, of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin passed away September 2, 2011 at Alden Estates of Countryside in Jefferson, Wisconsin. He was born January 4, 1936, in Rockford, Illinois, the son of the late John and Mary (Zambrowski) Pernacciaro. He attended West High School in Rockford with friends Sam Maggio, Marv Mengling, Pete Spataro, and Nick Nibbio. On August 19, 1961, Samuel married Barbara Ann Reese in Barrington, Illinois. He received his B.A. from Rockford College, his M.A. from Northern Illinois University, and his Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University. He studied his junior year at John Hopkins University and served in the U.S. Army from 1961-62.

Sam dedicated much of his life to his passion for teaching American Government, Politics, and Public Policy. He was an Assistant Professor at both the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. He was also a Visiting Professor at several universities, and authored and co-authored numerous papers, articles and textbooks throughout his teaching career.

Not only did he follow national, state and local government issues with a keen interest, but Sam was also an avid Packers and Badgers fan and always enjoyed a good joke and was a frequent kidder. He was a member of the Fort Atkinson Lions Club and the First Congregational Church in Fort Atkinson, where he previously was the Church Moderator and served on the Lay Life Committee.

Sam is survived by his wife, Barbara, of Fort Atkinson, and his children Lisa Lord (Rodney) of Madison, and Marc Pernacciaro (Tara) of Waukesha. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, September 9th at the First Congregational Church, 31 W. Milwaukee St., Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. at church until the time of services. Interment will follow services at Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Atkinson. A luncheon will be held in Plymouth Hall in the church following interment.

Memorials may be made to the Fort Atkinson Lions Club, PO Box 352, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 or the Alzheimers Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601. The family wishes to thank the staff on Sams wing of Alden Estates as well as Rainbow Hospice in Jefferson for their care and support.

The Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family with arrangements.

www.dunlapmemorialhome.com

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