Obituary of Alberto Hilado Peronilla

Alberto H. "Bert" Peronilla Alberto H. "Bert" Peronilla, of West Orange passed away on June 16, 2016 at St. Barnabas, Livingston, NJ with his wife, children, friends, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren at his bedside. A Memorial Mass will be offered on Saturday, June 25, 2106 at 11:00 AM at Saint Joseph's Church, 44 Benvenue Ave., West Orange. Arrangements are entrusted to the Dangler Funeral Home of West Orange, 340 Main Street in West Orange, and letters of condolence may be posted at danglerfuneralhome.com. Those who knew Bert Peronilla can attest he was a man who went beyond the call of duty in all areas of his life. He excelled as an Honor Student, Information Technology Director, Loving Husband, Strict but Caring Father/Grandfather, Music Virtuoso, and Billy Jean Dance King. Above all, he was a man who placed full trust in the Lord's Will. Bert expired on June 16, 2016 at St. Barnabas, Livingston, NJ with his friends, in-laws, nieces, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, wife and two children at his bedside. Alberto H. Peronilla was born in Bacolod, Philippines on September 26, 1938. He was eldest of 6. The family moved to Manila and he graduated from the University Of The Philippines - Diliman in 1960. Bert had high ambitions and wanted to pursue higher education in the United States. He would go on to earn three Master's Degrees at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in 1964, 1965 and 1970.These degrees were in Management Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science respectively. Bert leveraged the first two degrees as a Systems Engineering Manager at IBM. Manila, Philippines from 1965 to 1970. 1970 would prove to be a milestone year for Bert. He received his aforementioned third master's degree, continued building his skills at RPI with the decision to complete the necessary requirements for a Ph.D in Computer Science, and fly back to the Philippines to find a wife. Bert was now an IT Manager at Foster Wheeler Corporation in Livingston, NJ. His quest for love was fueled by a picture his mother sent around this time of a young woman in a miniskirt named Mary Ann Montelibano. Bert flew back to Manila in December, 1970 in the hopes of taking Mary Ann home. When Bert and Mary Ann had their first date, cupid's arrow hit its target big time. On their next date, Bert told Mary Ann," Please tell me if I am barking up the wrong tree." He proposed that night. Getting Mary Ann was not an easy task since she was the eldest girl in a family of 12. Well, Bert was able to accomplish his mission as Mary Ann did say yes and the two got married in Manila on January 9, 1971. The two flew back to East Orange, NJ. They resided at Robert Towers on South Munn Avenue. Bert did receive his Doctorate in Computer Science in 1971. Later that year, Bert and Mary Ann had their first child, Philip. The two had a second child, Cyndi, in 1974. Both children were born in Newark, NJ. Bert and Mary Ann soon moved to West Orange, NJ.. Bert would remain an active West Orange resident his whole life through his service to St. Joseph Church as well as participation in many West Orange Town Council Meetings. His dedication to his career was world class. Foster Wheeler promoted Bert to IT Director in 1979. He would remain Foster Wheeler's computer system guiding light for almost 20 years. He was also an accomplished musician. He played piano and violin. Bert's repertoire was huge. Some of his favorite numbers included " Dahil Sa Iyo", "In the Mood","Blue Suede Shoes" , "Meditation" from Thais(duet with Mary Ann on piano) as well as several John Phillip Sousa Marches with the most notable being"The Washington Post March". No dance floor was off limits for Bert. He and Mary Ann enjoyed showing off their Dancing With The Stars moves at any party. Bert's most famous dance performance was his solo to Michael Jackson's 'Billy Jean' . He gave a rousing King Of Pop dance tribute on September 19, 2009 at the celebration of his grandson Alberto's first birthday. Bert, at age 70. displayed uncanny footwork and body control that day, which was punctuated by his pointing a single finger to the sky to conclude the routine which received a booming ovation. Bert's love knew no boundaries. Bert willingly helped with the care of his grandchildren while his children, Philip and Cyndi were at work. A notable example of this devotion was Zachary Albert, his first grandson. Bert would go on to take care of the da of Zach's daycare for seven incredible years, a service his son Philip infinitely appreciates. Daughter Cyndi and Son in Law Jim Primerano are likewise so thankful for the countless times Bert would drive down the Turnpike to attend a Basketball Game or Recital. Bert was also very charitable and much to the surprise of his loved ones, actively contributed to a scholarship program for the IBM Blue Genes students in the Philippines. His many colleagues, friends and family members will miss him immensely. A Facebook post of his passing received more than 450 condolences. Through it all Bert did it His Way with the Lord. Mary Ann, Cyndi played his anthem, Frank Sinatra's "My Way" at his hospital bed during his final moments. All four hands joined for eternity. Bert is survived by brothers, Rene and Luisito, sister, Cecile, wife, Mary Ann, daughter, Cyndi, son, Philip, and grandchildren, Zachary, James, Anna, Alberto and Ava. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to St. Joseph's Church, West Orange, NJ.