Louis Gaetano Cerritelli Jr.'s Obituary
Louis Gaetano Cerritelli, Jr. 69, of Polk City, Florida passed away peacefully at home on the morning of December 12, 2023. Lou bravely battled cancer for more than three years, and passed with the love of his life, Kathy, beside him.
Lou, the third of seven children was born on July 4th, 1954, to Louis and Frances Cerritelli in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In high school, Lou worked at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station as a short order cook. He was very active in the marching band and even escorted the New York Mets in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1969. He graduated from Archbishop Wood High School in 1972. Lou was very proud that working at Refreshment Machinery Incorporated enabled him to pay his own way through college at LaSalle College (University). He graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management in 1976.
Lou met Kathy in 1976 while she was visiting family in Philadelphia. He proposed a week after meeting her, and they were married April 2nd, 1977 in Scottsdale, Arizona. For seven years, they resided in the Phoenix area of Arizona where they welcomed their son Steven Louis and daughters Stephanie Kathleen and Stacey Frances. In 1984, they were relocated to Strongsville, Ohio before settling down in Littleton, Colorado in 1986. There they welcomed son Scott Thomas in 1991. In 1992, they moved to Highlands Ranch, Colorado where they would live and grow for many years. They spent time tailgating in their RV at Bronco games, spending time with close friends, and attending multiple sporting events for their own children. Lou was one of the masterminds in the creation of Falcon Youth Sports, a youth sports organization that is still in existence in Highlands Ranch. In 2002, Lou and Kathy were transferred to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Finally, in 2018, Lou and Kathy permanently relocated to Polk City, Florida where they found their perfect home base. There, Lou flourished, joining a neighborhood bike riding club and even becoming a member of the architectural review committee.
Lou worked for American Handicrafts from 1977-1978, which allowed him to move to Arizona. His next significant position was as a store manager and district manager for Hatch’s Cards and Gifts from 1978-1981. This position opened the door to the greeting card industry where Lou started as a sales representative for American Greetings in 1981. In his 28 years with American Greetings, he worked his way up to the position of District Sales Manager. He oversaw twenty-two states while he was based in Colorado. After his transfer to Pennsylvania in 2002, he oversaw the Northeastern United States. He won the Mory Stone, an award presented to top managers in the Sales Division, nine times from 1991-2009. This allowed him and Kathy to experience many new and exciting destinations in travel. In 2009, Lou transitioned to Designer Greetings as their Regional Business Development Manager. He retired as the Vice President of Sales for the Mid-Atlantic and New England Region in 2019. He was a strong and ambitious employee who always exceeded the goals set for him.
Lou had a strong passion for his motorhome, and logged thousands of miles on the roads of the lower 48 states to visit with his family, friends, and colleagues. There were many trips to see Steve, Stephanie, Stacey and Scott and their families. Some visits were about welcoming his grandchildren, while others were for RV rallies and fun!
In a word, Lou was driven and his passion for his family lead him to a very adventurous and full life. He was a strong Italian man who was proud of his heritage. Lou was a true patriot who loved the United States and the freedom it allows. He loved fiercely and worked tirelessly to achieve all that he had in his life. He was an amazing role model for his children and was an even better grandfather to his grandchildren. He could be heard stating that, “It is what it is,” when things weren’t going perfectly. He loved to unwind with bourbon and a cigar while watching the lake behind their Florida home. He had a quiet but hilarious sense of humor that stayed with him throughout his entire life. Lou was a devout Catholic and had a strong relationship with God. The final weeks of Lou’s life were spent with each of his siblings, as well as his wife and each of his children. The presence of each of them was a tremendous source of joy, peace, and comfort to him.
Lou was predeceased by his father Doctor Louis Gaetano Cerritelli, Sr., mother Frances Lorraine Cerritelli, brother Francis Joseph Cerritelli, his Nana, Grandmother, and Kathy’s father Francis Thomas Swan.
He is survived by Kathleen Elizabeth (Swan) Cerritelli, his wife of 46 years.
He is also survived by four children, their spouses and significant others, and seven grandchildren. They include his son Steven Louis Cerritelli (Ashley) and grandson Brady Louis; his daughter Stephanie Kathleen Rowland (Shad) and granddaughter Kaydence Kathleen, grandson Hunter Shad, and granddaughter Henlee Lorraine; his daughter Stacey Frances Cerritelli (Lance), and granddaughter Aurora Grace; and his son Scott Thomas Cerritelli (Anastasia), and grandsons Louis Gaetano III, and Leonid Francis.
As mentioned, Lou is the third of seven children. He leaves five of his siblings, their spouses, numerous nieces and nephews, and an even greater number of grands. They include sister Gloria Walker (Ken), sister Bernadette Kenny (James), sister Maria Lennon (John), sister Anita Trasatti (Anthony), and brother Michael Cerritelli (Jacqueline).
Lou is also survived by Kathy’s mother and siblings, their spouses, and more nieces, nephews, and greats. They include mother Elizabeth Swan, brother Thomas Swan, and sister Lorraine Swan (Scott Poirier).
A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on December 27th, 2023, at 10:00 am at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church at 820 Marcum Road, Lakeland, FL 33809.
A celebration of life will follow the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Lou’s Memorial Fund via Venmo (@Lou-Memorial-Fund, last four are 8522) or Zelle ([email protected]).
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