Frankfort - Mr. Julius J. Perillo, age 80, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2015 at St. Luke's Hospital in Utica with his loving family by his side. He was born on November 20, 1934, the son of the late Julius and Rose (Green) Perillo. He attended Frankfort schools and graduated from Frankfort High School with the class of 1952 and received a Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Oswego in 1957 and a Master's Degree in Education from SUNY Oneonta in 1966. In January of 1957 he accepted a 4th grade teaching position at North Street School in Ilion, NY but after only 6 months on the job he was drafted into the United States Army where he served for 2 years. After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the Army in 1959, he began an illustrious 31 year career with the Rome City School District teaching elementary education at the old Laurel Street School. On July 27, 1963, he was married to Diane Aurigema in St. Mary's Church, Frankfort. In July 1969 he was named principal of Lillian O. Burns and Columbus Schools. The two schools merged under his supervision as Columbus School in 1970. He was named Assistant Superintendent of Schools in August 1979 and served as acting Superintendent of Schools in 1985 and again in July of 1988. On July 13, 1988, Rome's Board of Education appointed him Superintendent of Schools with a unanimous vote. He served in this capacity until 1990 when he elected to retire. Julius received many accolades during his career including the 1982 Distinguished Alumnus Award at SUNY Oswego. This is the most prestigious single award presented to outstanding alumni who have especially distinguished themselves in a chosen field thereby bringing credit both to themselves and the college. In 1990, The Rome College Foundation recognized him as Rome's Educator of the year for his outstanding contributions to education. Many years later, in 2013, he established in conjunction with the foundation the Julius J. Perillo Scholarship which awards $2,000 annually to an RFA senior pursuing a career in teaching. He served on several boards and committees including The Rome College Foundation and the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired where he remained an Emeriti board member. During his life, he was also actively involved with many community and charitable organizations including the Boy Scouts of America, Jaycees International, Rotary International and the United Way. Julius is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Diane Perillo, a son Jeffrey and a son John and his daughter-in-law Priscilla; one sister and brother in law, Donna and Joseph Belmont; his in-laws Anthony and Marie Palumbo, John Aurigema and Andrea Aurigema; four grandchildren, Logan, Paisley, Mia and Rocco and several nephews, nieces and cousins and his close friend and daily visitor, Al Kennell. He is pre-deceased by his mother-in-law, Frances Aurigema, brother-in-law Frank (Shamrock) Aurigema and sister-in-law Shirley Aurigema. His funeral will be held Wednesday morning at 9:45 from the V.J. Iocovozzi Funeral Home, Inc., 203 Second Ave. Frankfort and at 10:30 in Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be will be celebrated by the Rev. Leo Potvin. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, November 10 from 4 - 8 pm at V.J. Iocovozzi Funeral Home, Inc. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation in his memory to the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) 507 Kent St. Utica, NY 13501 or Presbyterian Home and Services (Parkinson's Residence) 4290 Middle Settlement Road, PO Box 1144, New Hartford, NY 13413. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Julius's online memorial page by going to www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com