Louis Anthony Desimone- the man, the myth, the legend (and the unofficial mayor of Jefferson, New York) passed away at the young age of 96, on March 2, 2024. As stubborn in life as he was in death, Louis began his fight with aggressive Merkel cell carcinoma at 94 and would not resign himself until he had put another two good years under his belt. In the end, Louis had beat cancer and went into remission, ultimately succumbing to complications associated with heart failure.
A true Bronx man to the core, Louis was born on January 16, 1928 as the best thing to happen until sliced bread was invented six months after he was born. He lived with parents Anthony and Ann Desimone, as well as siblings Crescent (Sonny), Cecelia (Sis), Anthony (Jake), Ann, Thomas, and James. He attended the Blessed Sacrament Grammar School and Cardinal Hayes High School before moving on to join the United States Marine Corps. While serving with the Marines, he worked within the US Pentagon building as well as Marines Corps Base Quantico before being honorably discharged.
A man of many talents, he could not consign himself to one job after his time in the Marines Corps was done. He worked with the US Parks department, the US Post Office for twelve years, and part-time for the Bellmore Taxi company before becoming an owner in the business himself. His favorite job of all of these, however, was being a husband to his wife Catherine, and father to his three children - Robert, Kathleen, and Laura. Out of all his adventures in life there was nothing he took more pride in than being a father. He built his children a sparkling pool-oasis for their entertainment in the backyard of their Levittown split-level house and stuffed the kids in the back of his Bellmore taxi cab (or one of his many Cadillacs) to take them wherever they wanted to go with their friends. He drove them on family vacations down to Florida, and never raised his voice when the children fought in the back seat—but always had a mischievous twinkle in his eye when their mother scolded them.
In 1979 he married his second wife, Eileen, who brought with her six children of her own, whom Louis cherished as much as his own. It was on a vacation with Eileen that they both fell in love with the town and community of Jefferson, New York, and subsequently bought a house and moved there full-time in 1982. Louis continued his career with the post-office now at their location in Schenectady until he retired after 37 years at the age of 74.
Still a vibrant young man at heart, Louis would not be deterred from a very active social life. He became a member of the Senior Citizens Club, the Heritage Day Society, the Historical Society, the American Legion, the Disabled War Veterans Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Association. He and Eileen would dress up as Mr and Mrs Claus for Christmas, and the Easter Bunny in spring (all in handmade costumes, of course) and go to visit nursing homes. They were dedicated residents of Jefferson, and devoted members of the Sacred Heart Church in Stamford, New York.
As if that was not enough to keep him busy, he owned a driving range next to his home- Just For Fun! He loved to see parents coming to play golf with their children, only for those children to bring their own family golfing years later. As time went by, Louis became an unwavering and beloved figure in the town he adored. He was always visiting one of his friends or driving to one of his meetings- long after he was told he should not be driving. When he was not sneaking into his car to visit his buddies- they would gather around his kitchen table at his house to solve the world's problems.
Louis is preceded in death by his son Robert, stepson Robert, stepdaughter Karen and wife Eileen. He leaves behind his daughters Kathleen and Laura, as well as stepchildren Richard, Raymond, Ronald, and Russell. He also leaves behind 18 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Special thanks is particularly noted to Louis’ nephew Tony Desimone and his wife Harriet- who never failed to look after him before and during his battle with cancer. Not many would drive for hours taking someone to appointments, meals, down to visit family for holidays and visit him every day at the hospital to make sure the nurses were kept on their toes. For your dedication and commitment to the life and memory of Louis Desimone we thank you.
Friends and relatives are invited to call on the family from 3-7PM on Friday, March 8, 2024 at the MacArthur Funeral Home, 15 Buntline Drive, Stamford. A Mass will be celebrated at 11AM on Saturday, March 9 at Sacred Heart Church, Stamford, followed by burial with military honors at Jefferson Evergreen Cemetery, Stamford.
In lieu of flowers contribution in memory of Louis may be made to Jefferson Senior Center, PO Box 256, Jefferson, NY 12093
Please visit www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with Louis’s family.
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