Rock Perdoni, a Hall of Fame defensive lineman whose name still resonates in Georgia Tech football lore, died this week at the age of 78.
Born in the small town of Gazzola, Italy, he moved to the United States at six, eventually landing at Ferrum College where he helped the Panthers capture the 1968 NJCAA national championship.
A Life of Excellence on and off the Field
At Georgia Tech he became a two‑time All‑America, his 210 tackles ranking among the most prolific performances by a defensive lineman, and he captained the Yellow Jackets to a 9‑3 season that culminated in a Sun Bowl victory and a No. 13 final national ranking.
After college he pursued a professional career in the Canadian Football League, suiting up for clubs such as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Hamilton Tiger‑Cats, before turning his energies to business.
In Massachusetts he founded Perdoni Bros. Construction, a firm that grew from a modest operation into a respected regional contractor, while his family — wife Emaline, four children and ten grandchildren — remained the center of his life.
His contributions were recognized in 1979 when the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame welcomed him, cementing a legacy that blends athletic excellence with community service.