Louis N. Pernokas

Dr. Louis N. Pernokas; Capt. (retired) US Navy/Marines, passed away December 19 after a brief illness.  He was preceeded in death by his beloved wife, Charlotte [Johnson] Pernokas earlier this same year. They were married for 70 years. Dr. Pernokas was born in South Boston in 1926, son of Nicholas Elias Pernokas and Sylvia [ Mullavey] Pernokas.

He graduated from Boston Latin School, Dartmouth College, and Harvard Medical School in 1950. At Dartmouth he joined the Navy V-12 program.  While doing his surgical residency at Boston City Hospital in 1952, he was called up by the Navy.  He served with the First Marine Division in Korea at a forward aid station (equivalent to Army's MASH) where he was cited for his surgical skills and was awarded a Bronze Star.  He is mentioned in George Van Sant’s book on the Korean War, “Taking on the Burden of History”. After the war he returned to practice in Boston and taught surgery at Harvard.  His love of the ocean and fishing lured him to Rhode Island and Kent Hospital where he was surgeon for many years, specializing in vascular surgery. He and Charlotte retired to Stephenville to be near his son Nick and daughter-in-law Lindy

He is survived by Nick and Lindy; his brother John and wife Laura of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, his sister Kathleen West, and nephew, nieces and grand nieces. He was predeceased by his brother Arthur.

He loved fishing, gardening, and cooking but most of all he loved his family, and they loved him dearly.  He is sadly missed.

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