Louis Fasciano

Louis Fasciano was a man with a great mind, tender heart and an admirable work ethic. He was multi-talented and could be found doing anything from making intricate woodwork, designing irrigation systems for golf courses or gliding across the dance floor with his wife! Lou didn’t just do things; however, he did them to perfection. He squeezed a lot of living out of life and was a great example to all who knew him.

The early 1920s were a collage of interesting events. There were power struggles in Russia, Babe Ruth was setting baseball records, and the first Miss America was crowned. But for most of the people living in the industrial city of Erie, Pennsylvania, on the shore of Lake Erie, such happenings were nothing more than headlines in a newspaper. Their lives centered on raising their families and earning a living. This was the life of Joseph and Theresa (DeFonzo) Fasciano; they owned and operated Fasciano’s City Service Gas Station (and repair shop), and were the proud parents of a daughter, Viola. On August 31, 1921, the couple welcomed the birth of their second child, a son they named Louis Joseph. He and Viola were later joined by their sister, Angela, who rounded out the Fasciano household.

Lou enjoyed a typical childhood growing up in the community of Erie. His grandfather lived on a farm on the outskirts of town, and Lou loved to go there as a young boy and ride the horses. He received his education in the Erie area schools, and graduated from Tech Academy High School, where he was a member of the swim team. Like many young men of the time, Lou honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy as a Gunner on a troop transport during World War II.

Lou went to work in the family’s gas station, changing oil. Working here gave him many opportunities to whistle at the pretty girls that passed by. The one that really caught Lou’s eye though was Marion Chessario, a classmate. Lou convinced one of his friends to ask her out for him, but she didn’t appreciate that. He finally got is nerve up to ask her out himself and they were soon on their first date in Ivonia on the Lake. It wasn’t long before love blossomed between Lou and Marion, and they eloped to Ripley, New York and were married on October 25, 1941.

The couple spent the next 63 years together, raising their four children: Lynn, Louis (who died when he was 4 after being hit by a car), Darlene and Michael, and sharing many wonderful memories as a family. Lou was a good father, and rarely raised his voice to his children. He didn’t have to though, because once he gave them “the look” – they knew he meant business. Besides being a devoted husband and father, Lou was a strong provider for his family. He was a loyal employee of General Electric for many years, and had endured several transfers within the company. In 1957, the family moved to Louisville, Kentucky for his work, and later to Greenville, Michigan and Holland, Michigan, where he retired as Plant Manager. After retiring, Lou and Marion made a few more moves to live with their children, as well as both of their sisters.

Being retired meant that Lou had more time to devote to his hobby of woodworking. He had made many beautiful pieces of outdoor furniture and cabinets for family and friends, and he also made his grandkids their first potty and rocking chairs. When his hands weren’t busy molding wood, Lou was gripping a golf club, looking to make a hole-in-one – which was possible because he was a pretty darn good player. In fact, he played golf until he was well into his 80s. In Lou’s younger years, he had aspirations of becoming an engineer and it wasn’t until later in life that he had this opportunity. Lou had a friend in Louisville who was a PGA golf pro and designed golf courses, and he asked Lou to design the irrigation systems for these courses. It was a dream come true for Lou!

For fun, Lou was always trying his luck at playing the lottery, hoping to win the millions, and making wagers on horse races, using the racing paper. He enjoyed watching the horse races too, especially the Kentucky Derby. A big sports fan, Lou cheered on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Purdue Boilermakers football team, and University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball team, and enjoyed the NCAA basketball tournament. Above all else, Lou was happiest when surrounded by the love and laughter of his family, especially his precious grandchildren and great grandchildren, who affectionately called him Papa. He loved to spend time with his grandkids, and wouldn’t miss any of their activities. Lou had been raised and baptized in the Catholic faith, however, it was the way in which he lived his life that served as an example to all those who knew and loved him.

Louis had been diagnosed with bladder cancer several times; however, the doctors always assured him that it was contained. Just recently though, it had spread to his bones, and because of this he underwent surgery on his arm and hip. Louis spent a time of recovery in a nursing home, but then spent another week at Bronson Hospital, where he died on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at the age of 86.

Lou was a compassionate, loving, dedicated and hardworking man, whose years of dedicated work afforded him both a happy place in life and a family that loved him dearly. He will be greatly missed.

Learn more about Lou and view his Life Story Film on Thursday, May 1, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (375-2900), where services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2. Interment with full military honors will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Lou was preceded in death by his wife, Marion, in 2004; his son, Louis; and son-in-law, Clair Hansen. He is survived by his children: Lynn Ann (Paul) Dutton of Lexington, KY, Darlene Hansen of Mattawan, and Michael (Susan) Fasciano of Greenville; six grandchildren, nine great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Please visit Lou’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory or photo with his family or sign his online guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.