Longtime pediatrician, father of congressman dies

Dr. Vito Perriello, a founding partner of one of the area’s first pediatric medicine practices and the father of U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, died Sunday from complications of a stroke, family members said.

Perriello, who practiced medicine for Pediatric Associates for 37 years, had retired in January. He was 68.

Perriello was stricken last week and his son left Washington to be with his family.

“I appreciate the hundreds of supportive calls and notes during this devastating week, and most of all your prayers for my family,” Tom Perriello said Monday.

“My father’s legendary integrity and sense of service will be missed not just by our family, but also by our entire community. I hope to spend decades trying to match his ceaseless commitment to our common humanity. Please keep my mother Linda, his loving wife of over 43 years, in your prayers.”

Dr. Perriello was a well-known figure in Central Virginia, both in medical and high school sports circles.

“Scott Stadium couldn’t hold all the people he’s supported and helped,” said Howie Long, a local resident and member of professional football’s Hall of Fame who worked with Perriello in sports programs at St. Anne’s-Belfield School.

“He was dedicated in everything he did, to his practice, his community and his family. He’s one of those guys they just don’t make anymore. He’s a special man who will be sorely missed,” Long said Monday.

Dr. Raymond Ford, who often travels to Haiti and other countries to provide free medical care, was a partner of Perriello’s. The retired pediatrician said his friend was planning to join him on a Haitian trip this spring.

“Vito put so much of himself into everything he did, from his practice to sports to his family and his saxophone,” Ford said. “He did so much in his 68 years that I think he lived the equivalent of 136 years for anyone else. He’s a wonderful friend and I miss him.”

Perriello treated three generations of Central Virginians, coached two generations of middle and high school students and worked with attention deficit disorder organizations.

He served as chairman of an influential committee on high school sports medicine and injuries in Virginia.

Last year he campaigned for his son, a Democrat from Ivy who defeated incumbent Republican Virgil H. Goode Jr. for Virginia’s 5th District seat in the House of Representatives.

“I got to talk to a lot of people [during the campaign] and I realized that I really did have a positive influence on people’s lives over all these years,” the elder Perriello told The Daily Progress in January.

His daughter, Paige, took over his place at the practice.

His influence carried over to children throughout the state through his service on a sports injuries and treatment committee for the Virginia High School League.

“He’s done a tremendous job in helping to develop the rules and procedures to treat injuries so that we’re all playing out of the same playbook,” said Dr. Frank C. McCue, one of the foremost sports medicine physicians. McCue served on the committee, chaired by Perriello.

“It’s a great loss. It’s a shame, and he’ll be missed by everyone,” McCue said. “I’m going to miss him and so will the young athletes that he cared so much about.”

In addition to his wife, Linda, son Tom and daughter Paige, Perriello is survived by another daughter, Elizabeth, another son, Vito III (“Bo”), and seven grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors at St. Thomas Aquinas from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. A memorial service will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church at 1 p.m. Thursday. Hill and Wood Funeral Service is handling arrangements.