“I am an Architect”…. Louis Francis Mitros
(“Bo,” “Hon,” “Dad,” “Uncle Lou,” “Big Lou,”
“Papa”), 81, passed away from our earth on
Thursday, December 30, in the evening. Born
in Roxborough, and a graduate of Temple
University, he died as he lived, his own
way, with a great strength of spirit and
fight; he was surrounded with much love and
peace.
Lou was half of a long love affair with his
wife, Nancy, of 55 years. Without a doubt,
Lou’s greatest pride and sense of
accomplishment came from raising his 3
children and sending them all through
college: Jeffrey (Laramie, Wyoming), Susan
(Tacoma, Washington), and Barbara (San
Diego, California). Their young marriage
brought them to settle in Fort Washington,
where in the early days, they embraced the
suburban soul by forming The Gourmet Group
(where great food and wine has brought and
kept friends together for forty plus years).
He spent time volunteering at school
functions, enjoyed summer nights at the Fort
Washington Swim Club, and worked and
commuted for many, many years, as a
Registered Architect, at the Hillier Group
in Princeton, New Jersey. Included among his
multiple commercial building contributions
as an architect are dormitory buildings at
Villanova University and Drew University and
renovations at the Showboat Casino in
Atlantic City.
He served his country proudly as a member of
the Naval Squadron, VP931, stationed in
Willow Grove and was positioned as a tail
gunner during the Korean War. His Navy life
showed him the expanse of the Alaskan
wilderness and the tropics of Kwajalein
Island, places, experiences, and friends
emblazoned in his memories.
Lou enjoyed canoeing and fishing at Lake
Nockamixon; spent time on the Roxborough
High School alumni committee; and was an
amazing gardener with a savvy for brewing
wine from his own homegrown grapes and
keeping the deer from his corn patch. Until
recent years slowed him, he committed every
Saturday afternoon to cutting his grass in
near perfect straight lines. Never one to
shy from a project, his basement woodworking
shop was filled with precisely carved ducks
and miniature rocking horses. He loved
nature and the outdoors; he loved Ocean
City, New Jersey, and Sanibel Island,
Florida, where he taught his kids to respect
and love the sea with lessons on fishing,
clamming, and crabbing.
Trips to Europe, California, Washington
State, Wyoming, Hawaii and exploring the
entire US came later in life, with his wife
by his side, when the road was open and his
time was his own. Golf became a fast
addiction, a habit supported by his
part-time job at the Ambler YMCA, where he
proudly wore the “red shirt”. His love of
sports and athletics began in high school as
a Varsity member of the track, swimming, and
basketball teams. He was never late for a
tee time, was a card carrying member of the
USGA, and was not too boastful of the one
magnificent season with two holes-in-one (3
members of his loyal 4some will bear witness
to this feat).
As Papa, he shared 6 grandchildren with
Nancy and had special memorable
relationships with each. Lou lived an
uncomplicated life; waited for the right
moment to create a laugh with a subtle quip;
had a charming presence worthy of the
nickname “Big Lou”; was unwavering in his
devotion to his wife and family and home. He
will be forever missed and loved. Here’s an
extra kiss for you, Dad.
Services will be held on Thursday January 6,
2010 at St Alphonsus Church, 29 Conwell
Drive Maple Glen, PA. Friends may call from
10am to 11am with a funeral mass beginning
at 11am. Internment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name
may be sent to The Strong Kids Campaign at
the Ambler Area YMCA, c/o Lois Mitros 1325
McKean Rd, Ambler PA 19002.
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