Pierno

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Pierno
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Capt. Ralph Pierno, 72, of Woodbine died Monday morning, June 29, 2020, at Southeast Georgia Health System, Camden Campus, suddenly.

Capt. Pierno was born in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Angelo Pierno and Lucille Pierno Sherkle and made Woodbine his home for the past several years. He served his country faithfully and honorably in the United States Navy as a naval aviator and combat pilot. While in the Navy, he flew 536 combat missions, was officer-in-charge aviation detachment, aviation procurement program manager, commanding officer communications unit, commanding officer Naval Air Station Norfolk unit, commanding officer USS Kennedy unit and naval liaison officer for State of Connecticut. He retired from the United States Navy as a captain. He was the commander of American Legion Post 170 of Kingsland.

Capt. Pierno obtained a bachelor’s degree in business management from St. Johns University. Following graduation, he moved on to Xavier University where he obtained a master’s in business management. His knowledge of business led him on many business adventures where he made lifelong friends. He primarily worked in commercial banking at several major banks, where he would lead and organize their regional banks. Most recently, he served as chairman of the board of trustees for the state’s largest anti-poverty agency and was the 2009 president-elect North Jacksonville Rotary.

Capt. Pierno is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Donna Anderson Pierno of Woodbine; a son, Michael Ralph Pierno of New Orleans, Louisiana; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, in the Allison Memorial Chapel. The family will be receiving friends beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private committal service will be held in Jacksonville National Cemetery. The family requests American Legion Post 170 of Kingsland serve as honorary pallbearers and should be at the funeral home by 10:15 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guest book at www.allisonmemorialchapelandfuneralhome.com

Allison Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.