Hermilo “Milo” Perfecto took his final breath on Wednesday morning, Sept. 14, 2022, surrounded by his wife, children and grandkids, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Milo was born on Jan. 13, 1939 in the “rancho” of Gabriel Lopez, in the small town of Nochistlan, Zacatecas, Mexico, to Eusebio Perfecto and Victoria Gonzalez. He grew up in the town of Yahualica, Jalisco, Mexico.
Milo immigrated to California in the 1950s as a teenager. He was known as a charismatic man of few words, with a gentle laugh, and witty sense of humor. Milo spent most of his life working at Mission Linen in Santa Barbara and Applied Magnetics in Goleta.
He loved music, and his favorite music groups and singers were Los Freddy’s, Los Muecas, Los Cadetes de Linares, Los Tigres Del Norte, Carlos Y Jose, and Ramon Ayala. He would often be singing and dancing “Vestido De Color De Rosa” with his daughter, Karina, or dedicating “Mi Linda Esposa” or “Paloma Querida” to his wife at dances.
For his son Cesar, he would usually dedicate one of his favorite mariachi songs, “El Niño Perdido.”
However, Milo was probably most known for his oak-fired barbecued chicken (although he cooked good steaks and tri tips at home as well).
While he did not have a favorite soccer team, Milo would often spend his free time watching professional soccer games or baseball games on TV. He was a huge fan of the Fernando Valenzuela era “Doyers,”and to the surprise of many, his favorite players were Pedro Guerrero and Steve Sax.
The gem of Milo’s life was his wife Teresa, whom he called his “Chulis.” He would often wake up early to squeeze fresh orange juice and cut up grapefruit for her. On his days off, he used to love taking his twin children Cesar and Karina to East Beach, or local parks, especially the ones with swimming pools.
He was faithful about attending all of his son Cesar’s FCSB soccer and YFL football games during the 1980s and ’90s. In his final years, Milo would speak mostly of his brother and best friend Luis Perfecto, who went to be with the Lord in April 2018.
We will always remember Milo’s gentle laugh. We are especially thankful for his gentle love toward his grandchildren Marissa, Gabriel, and Paloma, who were like a “second chance” for him to be a dad. Milo’s own father and sister passed away before he was born; therefore, we are at peace in knowing that he has finally been united with his family. We look forward to sitting down at the Lord’s table in heaven with all of them.
Papá – Nos quedamos en paz sabiendo que ya estás reunido con mas familia.
Milo is survived by his wife Teresa; his twin children Cesar and Karina; and three grandchildren Marissa, Gabriel and Paloma.
The Perfecto family would like to especially thank the staff of Sarah House of Santa Barbara for their overwhelming care, love and support, RN Diane Arden, Eucharistic ministers Flor and Christina, and the pastoral staff of Guadalupe Church, and Diane Being from Assisted Home Health & Hospice.
All services will be on Friday, Sept. 30, beginning at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, followed by mass and afterward on to the interment at Calvary Cemetery. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Sarah House of Santa Barbara.
Arrangements by McDermott-Crockett & Associates