 Mr. Perga |
Andy Perga was a successful high-tech entrepreneur and tireless worker who, nonetheless, always managed to make his family a priority.
“He never, ever said, ‘Wait, I’m busy,” said wife Cathie of Mr. Perga’s communications with his three daughters. “He always talked to them.”
Mr. Perga of Los Altos Hills died March 12 from head injuries suffered after a fall off a ladder. He was 69.
The Butte, Mont., native showed his strong work ethic from the beginning, working in copper mines during his youth. A turning point came in high school, when a teacher, a Stanford graduate who recognized Mr. Perga’s abilities, urged him to apply to Caltech.
“Andy’s decision to do that helped shape his life that was full with both professional excellence and great experiences,” Cathie said.
At a young age, he was appointed general manager of the Connecticut division of the Electronic Specialty Co.
In 1974, he joined ITT Corp. at its European headquarters in Brussels. In 1984 he became director of Qume, an ITT company in San Jose. When ITT sold its telecommunications and electronics firms to a French conglomerate, Alcatel, Mr. Perga served as director of operations and engineering.
When Alcatel sold its U.S. companies in 1988, Mr. Perga chose to remain in Silicon Valley and started his own company, Upgrades Unlimited. His company then acquired Magellan, a maker of independent voice response systems for T-Mobile.
“Andy embraced life with enthusiasm,” Cathie said. “He loved his work - but his family was his joy. With them he hiked, skied, cooked gourmet meals and loved annual trips to Italy.”
The couple, who met in Connecticut, went on “three or four dates” before deciding to tie the knot, Cathie recalled.
She called Mr. Perga a “Renaissance man” for his diverse abilities and interests, which also included windsurfing, sports cars and flying planes.
While not an extrovert, Mr. Perga proved a gifted storyteller who enjoyed a good conversation.
“He was not a rowdy party guy, but he loved parties. He loved people,” Cathie said. “I have never been bored with this man.”
Cathie recalled Mr. Perga remarking that his calling in life was to “keep the contracts coming so he could keep people employed.”
“He was such a great guy,” she said. “I’m really going to miss him.”
In addition to Cathie, Mr. Perga is survived by his three daughters and their spouses: Jen Perga and Mike DeClement of Winsted, Conn.; Francesca and John Puccini of Alameda; and Pam and Mike Hafer of Truckee; a brother, Martin, of Billings, Mont.; aunt Nancy Wendel of Missoula, Mont.; mother-in-law Irma Valli Houlihan of Florida; and numerous nieces, nephews, sisters- and brothers-in-law.
Friends and family are invited to an April 1 memorial service, beginning 10:30 a.m. at Fremont Hills Country Club, 12889 Viscaino Place in Los Altos Hills.
Gifts in Mr. Perga’s memory should be sent to the California Institute of Technology, M/C 5-32, Pasadena 91125-4000.
