Obituary of Louis Tomasulo

Louis G. Tomasulo, 97, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2019 in his home in Plymouth, MA.

Louis, lovingly known as Grrr since the birth of his first grandchild (who couldn’t pronounce Gramps), was born in 1922 in Brooklyn, NY to Josephine and Michelangelo Tomasulo. It was there that he grew up with his brothers, Joseph and Michael (Babe). He loved playing baseball and became a talented pitcher for the Acomas team in Brooklyn. He found his lifelong career at age 18 when he became part of the original team of Ted Bates Advertising in New York City. Lou’s talent as an Art Director was highly regarded and he remained there for 48 years. At his retirement party in 1988, he was described as “a redwood in the forest of advertising.”

In 1947, he married his love, Mary (nee DeSantis) and moved to Valley Stream, NY to raise their family. Their children, Robert and Susan, grew up in a warm and loving environment filled with music, sports, and Italian cooking. 

In 1998, Lou and Mary moved to Somers, NY, where they enjoyed a new chapter of their lives at Heritage Hills. An ardent golfer, Lou enjoyed many hours on the course at Somers Pointe Golf Club. He was a devoted parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church.

A man of many interests, Lou enjoyed baseball, gardening, art, woodworking, travel and the beauty of nature. His many paintings and sketches reflected this appreciation. The Audubon Bird Watching Book and binoculars were never far from reach. He took several trips with his son Bob, who shared this love of nature, to Alaska, Wyoming and Arizona. Army football was a major part of his life that he shared with his brother, Joe. The tailgates were epic. Win or lose, Army/Navy games were memorable. You could join them in watching only if you took a vow of silence during the game and if you were willing to hear their play-by-play for the rest of the weekend.

Lou was a man with a quiet presence, but made a lasting impact on the people he met. He easily engaged with others in conversation and was quite possibly the best listener.  Described as “everybody’s Grandpa,” Lou was truly interested in what others had to say. His smile and generous, kind heart will be remembered by all who knew him.

Grrr was predeceased by his parents, Josephine and Michelangelo, his wife Mary, his son, Bob, and his brothers Joseph and Babe. He is survived by his daughter, Susan Tomasulo Walker (John) of Fairfield CT, his three granddaughters, Kristin Baker (Matthew) of Boston, Michelle Ronan (Kyle) of Medfield, MA, and Elizabeth Jones (Brendan) of Fairfield, CT. He also leaves behind his beloved great-grandsons, Julian and Louis. He will be missed by his numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and his great-great-nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are welcome on Monday, September 23 from 4PM-6PM at Clark Associates Funeral Home, 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah, NY.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 24 at 11:30AM at St. Joseph’s Church, 95 Plum Brook Road, Somers, NY. Interment will follow at St Joseph’s Cemetery, Rt. 202 Somers, NY.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Laurelwood at the Pinehills and Cranberry Hospice, (Plymouth, MA). You are so good at what you do.

And to our family and friends…thank you for the years of smiles and support you have given to Grrr.

Memorial donations may be made to The Sierra Club Foundation.

(sierraclubfoundation.org)