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Once angry with God, Vicki’s trust in Lord undeniable

Last Updated on February 7, 2025 by Editor

Vicki Perritano is surrounded by her grandchildren, several of her great grandchildren and other family members on Christmas Eve, where she cooked dinner for 23 people.


In full disclosure for those who don’t know, Vicki Perritano is the mother of the editor of this magazine, who interviewed her for this article. This is the 53rd edition of “More Good News,” and we felt after 13 years of publication it was time to feature one of the matriarchs of the parish. Vicki is 95 years old, still attends Mass and volunteered over the years in many parish ministries.

You grew up on Lansing Street, and then after marriage you moved basically into the backyard of your childhood home to your current home on Blandina Street. What was the neighborhood like during those times?

It was great. The neighbors knew everybody. Everybody got along. You could walk the streets at midnight if you wanted to and everything was great. Its people were beautiful.

You grew up in the Great Depression in the 1930s and during World War II in the 1940s. What do you remember about those times?

Well, I was in grade school when Dec. 7, 1941, happened (Pearl Harbor). I was 12 years old and, naturally, as young kids, we were all saying, “If something happens, what are we gonna do?” I remember we had rationing books. My mother would have to ration to get the stamps for sugar, flour and other household items that we needed. Even at that time, we didn’t wear panty hose. We had nylon stockings, and we had to go downtown to buy our stockings and stand in line because they were rationed.

You graduated from Mount Carmel School in 1943. What was school like?

Great. At that time, we had all nuns, and I think our parish had four or five priests and we knew the nuns. I don’t know how many kids in class, maybe about 30 kids or better. The priests would come out during recess time and they would play with us and play ball and do whatever. It was just a nice time.

You’re a 1947 graduate of Proctor High School. What do you recall about those years?

I loved Proctor. It isn’t like it is today. We weren’t that many — I think we were 300 when we graduated, There were no drugs at that time, and everybody was amicable. Everybody got along. We had a beautiful football team. We were at odds with UFA (Utica Free Academy) at that time because there was Proctor vs. UFA, but never anybody getting into any fights. We had a great time.

How did you meet dad?

Well, his mother died, and our backyards connected, and my mother made a meal for them. And so he was at our house and that’s how I met him. For me it was love at first sight. And to repay my mother for giving us dinner, we had our first date. We went to the Orpheum Theater on South Street, and at that time he had this old clunker car, and when we went out when the movie was over, the car wouldn’t start. That was the beginning of our beautiful friendship.

You were married almost 27 years and had four sons before he died unexpectedly at age 49 in January 1976. How would you describe your marriage of almost 27 years?

We had a good marriage. We had our bumps — some small, some big — but we managed to work them out. And if anybody says it’s easy, it’s not. But if you love one another, this is what you do.

After he died, how did you cope?

Well, I was very angry at God. And one day I was in my laundry room doing laundry and crying and just talking to God and I was angry. Then I stopped and I said, “What am I doing?” I said, “I can’t do this.” So, you either go up or down. So, I went to visit church, and the faith I had, that’s what got me through it.

So, you blamed God and then He helped you.

Yes, he did. And he’s helped ever since.

You went to work before dad passed and you moved your way up becoming the first appointed female assessor of the City of Utica. How proud are you of that accomplishment?

I am very proud of that. That’s something I didn’t think I’d ever do, but I was honored that I was chosen. At that time, Lou LaPolla was the mayor, and he had enough trust in me, and he appointed me. I was there for two years because then I retired in January of 1995. And I was told by many people, by lawyers, that I did a good job, and they missed me when I retired. I felt very good about what I had done. I started as a typist and then senior typist, office manager and then assessor. It was quite a journey working and taking care of my family.

Other than your family, Mount Carmel has been the center of your life. You were a eucharistic minister and lector, set up for weekend and morning Masses and conducted communion services. What does Mount Carmel mean to you?

Mount Carmel’s my second home. Without Mount Carmel, I don’t know if I could have done it. We have such beautiful people, and it’s something that I’ve lived with for all these years. It’s brought me through quite a bit.

Most people, if they go to church, they just go to church. You became involved. Why?

I found that doing something for the church was helping our parish, our priests; getting involved with a lot of the parishioners and helping some of them. Mostly it helped me because I enjoyed everything that I did.

What advice would give to others about the importance of faith?

Without faith, life does not exist. I don’t think there’s anything that you can cope with. I don’t care what religion you are. You still have to have faith. It sustains you and helps you get through a lot of things that happen in your life.

What do you hope your legacy will be?

To be honest, I never thought about it — having a legacy. I would just like my family, friends — if they’re still alive — to remember me for anything that I may have done and maybe to help someone, I know I’ve helped a few people with just talking to them and being there for them. And just being a very social individual and hoping my family would take after me just a little bit to do what I’ve done. I would like to think I made a difference in the little things I did.

Vicki Perritano

Age: 95.

Education: Graduated from Mount Carmel School and Thomas R. Proctor High School.

Family: Married to Salvatore Perritano Sr. for nearly 27 years before his death in 1976; four sons, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren.

Former employment: Utica Mutual, Oneita Knitting Mills, Oneida County Purchasing Department, City of Utica Purchasing Department, City of Utica Assessor’s Office (retiring in 1995 as the first female appointed assessor).

Favorite TV shows: “NCIS” and “Blue Bloods.”