Obituary: Louis Pellegrino Pasquesi, Jr.

Louis Pellegrino Pasquesi, Jr., “Louie”, age 73, formerly of Elmhurst, IL and Sister Bay, WI died Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at his home in Wood Dale, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.    Lou will be dearly missed by his wife of 40 years, Barbara (Mesch); sons Bryan (Rebecca), Tom (Whitney), and Rich (Courtney);  the greatest joys of his later years, grandchildren Navah, Owen, Annemarie and (soon-to-arrive) Baby Pasquesi;  siblings Joe (Cecilia) and Jim (Donna); many cousins, nieces, nephews and his dear pup, “Archie”.

He was born August 19, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois to Louis and Marie (Chiappe) Pasquesi.   Lou attended St. Ambrose College, where he received his degree in Sports Injury Treatment,  Prevention and Rehabilitation, and went on to receive a Graduate Degree from Ball State University.  Using his degree, he worked for a time as assistant athletic trainer for the Chicago Bears.  Lou worked at Gonnella Baking Company in Chicago for 35 years, eventually holding the position of Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations.

In 1982 Lou married his sweetheart,  “Barbara Ann”, and they enjoyed a wonderful life together.   Being a dad gave him such great joy and he was so very proud of all three of his sons.   He raised his family in Elmhurst, where he was involved in many local events, not the least of which was participating for many years in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade as the favorite leprechaun.

In 2009, Lou retired.  The beginning of a new chapter in his life, he and Barb moved to Door County, Wisconsin, where he lived his best life, hunting, boating, fishing, hiking, biking, enjoying rides on his Harley and his Vespa, and just having one heck of a good time. He was a contributing member of the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and, later, the Door County Sail & Power Squadron, where he earned the Centurion Club Award three years running for vessel inspections.  Lou also shared his talents as a gifted choir member and cantor of the Stella Maris Catholic Church.   

Lou will forever be remembered as the life of the party, the guy who always made a story “more exciting”, and as one heck of a great joke teller.  More than anything, he loved to make people laugh and have fun!  What a guy!!!

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am, Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Visitation Catholic Church in Elmhurst.  Inurnment will be private at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 on Friday, May 19 at Ahlgrim Funeral home in Elmhurst.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.