My dearest Lou, you were such a unique, caring & supportive Friend. You were my first friend in Melbourne – you took me under your wing & helped me settle into a new life almost 40 years ago. I cannot express how honoured I feel that you chose me to be part of your & Colleen’s life. We have had such fun over the years & you touched so many lives. You were always there to help & nothing was ever too much trouble. My heart aches that I will not see your cheeky smile again. Your beautiful & loving nature will be cherished by me forever. Be at peace my beautiful Friend. ” Though your smile is gone forever & your hand I cannot touch, I still have so many memories of the one I loved so much. Your memory is my keepsake with which I’ll never part, God has you in his keeping, I have you in my heart. Sadly missed but never forgotten.” Maddy

Dearest Lou,

Thank you so much for being my father’s best friend and for giving me my best friend Kate.

I have so many childhood memories of our camping and boat trips, sleep overs and family get togethers.

Although we were not family, at times you were like a second dad to me.

Camping will never be the same without you. I’m sure your name will always be brought up with all the treasured memories we have of you, each of them reminding us how much you were loved and missed.

Thank you for always taking an interest in my life and in my childrens lives.

I promise you I will always look after Kate and be there for her whenever she needs me.

Rest in Peace Lou.

Love, Michelle, Toby, Chloe, Jessica and Lachlan. xxxxx

Darling cousin, it ‘s surreal that I won’t be able to see you, talk to you, or hug you ever again. As children you, Caesar and I were the three musketeers who played together, laughed together, got into mischief together, argued and disagreed but we always stood up for each other if one of us was in trouble. These happy memories of us growing up next door to one another will always stay with me and comfort me. You were always ready to help Jacques and me when we needed you. We shall miss your big heart, your loving nature, your cheeky sense of humour and the havoc you caused when cheating at cards. You will always be in our thoughts and our hearts particularly when we are on the deck at Tootgarook. We will love you always Lou, arrivederci….

Dearest Lou, I will miss you my Best Friend. Thank you for your enduring friendship and love that you showed me over the past forty four years. I will treasure them for ever.

We first met when we were both young men full of ambition and the whole world was ahead of us and we grew up together into older but no wiser men. We were similar in many ways and I think it was those bonds that kept us together as good friends for a life time. I remember the last few years often reflecting with you over a cup of coffee or a glass of beer and asking where did the last forty years go, but we always came to the same conclusion that we were fortunate enough to have loving wives, beautiful children and grandchildren as well as many close friends to share our lives.

I have many many fond memories of sharing great times with you at Jennings, our Famous Fishing Trips at the Lakes and also our many family camping days just to name a few. Those happy and precious memories will live on in my heart for ever.

I will always remember the opening words when you rang me to say hello ‘H Where are You’ and ‘What are you Doing?’

My dear Lou, I know where you are now and I also know what you are doing, so make sure you reserve a good spot for me. Till we meet again.

Love, Your Best Friend, Henry (H) (HB)

Rest in Peace

Dearest Lou, You will be sadly missed, but your memory will live on in my heart for ever. We shared many good times and I often reflect to the many dinner parties we shared together in the early days and how you enjoyed my famous Kuglof cake. They were great days when we were all much younger and our friendship has grown to include our children and grandchildren.

I remember the last couple of trips we shared together at Fiji and later the cruise on the Voyager of the Seas. I also have fond memories of us dancing and celebrating many New Years Eves with you at Sorrento. They were great times.

Dearest Lou although you are gone, your spirit and cherished memories will live on in our hearts for ever. Till we meet again my Dear Friend.

Love Irene xxxx

Rest in Peace

Dear Lou

It is easy to make friends but old friends are years in the making.
Lou you where always like a brother to me, we have been through so much together and now, sooner than i realised, I have to say goodbye to my dearest and oldest friend .

We have met many great people together, had some laughs, experienced love and what it was like to lose it.
Life has led us in different directions at times, and there were times when we didn’t see each other for a while but when we caught up again we just had more to talk about, but I always knew you would be there for me as I hope you knew I was for you.

Lou you taught me so much, the most important lesson however has been the love of family
And that they will always be the ones there for you when you need them most.
Your love, strength and integrity will live on in the families and friends you have left behind.
Thank you Lou for being my friend, sorry I didn’t get to say good bye, you will be sadly missed. In our hearts and thoughts forever Sergio, Kerri and Family

Lou, you were without doubt the best neighbour we could hope to have. But of course, not only a neighbour, a loyal caring friend….one whose company we always enjoyed, someone to have a laugh with, someone who invariably left us feeling better for having spoken with you.
We remember: Ricca Donna on your veranda late at night, slip and slide fun for the kids on your lawn, impromptu meals together, your walks with Con around Jells Park, your warm hospitality at Rye, two amazing times in Naxos, your 50th in our Naxos garden, the carriage ride at midnight as we sang you Happy Birthday, watching the girls do synchronized swimming, barbecues together, musical evenings with flute and violin, cricket games, you passing Italian sausages over the fence, my trip to the footy with you (which I actually enjoyed!), our more recent two weekly dinners after you moved, many glasses of wine and conversation, you popping over for Con’s pancakes on Sunday mornings, celebrating Kate’s, Barbara’s and Andrew’s weddings and how we could share the joy, teasing you about Honey, celebrating cats’ birthdays, comparing notes on our beautiful grandchildren, you and Con shopping at Kmart and being taken for a couple!, how you would stock our fridge on our return from Greece AND often pick us up from the airport, how you would come in to spend some quality time with Milo when we were away, your charcoal sketches of our Naxos home which we have in our office, our gifts in Naxos that you and Colleen thoughtfully provided which we continue to use…sun lounges, enamel oven, trays, wine glasses…your generosity was second to none.
Lou, knowing you and Colleen and your lovely family has been a great blessing to us. We thank God for your friendship. Evan, Barbara and Katherine also have fond memories of their “Uncle” Lou.
Rest in peace, dear friend.
Love, Con, Jilba and family

TO MY DEAR MATE, IT’S HARD TO PUT A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES IN TO WORDS. I CAN REMEMBER WHEN WE FIRST MET AT RICHMOND TECH. IN YEAR 7, WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT OUR FRIENDSHIP WOULD LAST ALL THIS TIME.

YOU AND COLLEEN HAVE BEEN GREAT FRIENDS TO MYSELF AND VERA, AND TO SO MANY OTHERS, ONE OF THE GREAT QUALITIES YOU HAD WAS TO HELP ANYBODY IN THEIR TIME OF NEED.

THANKYOU FOR THE GREAT TIMES WE HAD AWAY ON THE ANNUAL BOAT TRIPS WITH YOU, COLLEEN, AND ALL THE GANG. SOMETIMES WORK COMMITMENTS PREVENTED US FROM ATTENDING, I NOW REALISE HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO MAKE TIME FOR ALL THESE THINGS. AS WE HAD THE BEST AND ENJOYABLE TIMES TOGETHER . AS YOU WERE ONE OF THE ONES THAT ORGANISED THESE TRIPS , I HOPE WE ALL CAN CONTINUE IT IN YOUR HONOUR FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. THANKYOU FOR THE TIMES WE HAD TOGETHER.

LOU, IT’S HARD TO SAY GOODBYE, BUT THE MEMORIES WE HAVE SHARED WILL LAST FOREVER. GOD BLESS- TILL WE MEET AGAIN.

YOUR FRIENDS,
PHILIP & VERA

Dearest Lou,

I was so sad when Dad, Mum & Michelle told me that you passed away.
Although I have not spent a lot of time with you over the past few years, I have so many fond memories of my childhood where you played such a big part in our family outings.

Thank you for your friendship you gave my dad.

Rest in peace,

Sheree, Ben, Joshua & Ruby Evans.Xxxx

Dearest Lou,
So blessed are we to have had the privilege of you in our lives and to call you a friend. You were like a second dad to me growing up, and you will always be “Daddy Lou” to me and hold a treasured place in my heart. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and you were always there to help those dear to you.
I will never forget the days growing up with Kate and waking up to ABBA being played through the speakers downstairs, the weekly family dinners while Kate was overseas that continued when she returned, ventures to Rye, and nor will I forget your love of life and a joke…..especially on April Fool’s Day where you got me a couple of times. You and Colleen were always there for us all with an open door, happy to chat, take us places and to the footy. It was your love of your family, your love of life and love of the Bombers that has helped to shape who I am today.
We will miss you dearly – forever in our hearts,
Tanneale, Aiden, Caelin, Declan, Reiley & Aleayah xxxxxx

Dear Louis, you’re always in our hearts. The distance prevented us from meeting. But the few times we met, there’s been a good understanding for the affection and esteem that bound us. Beautiful and sweet is the memory of the days spent together when we came to Australia in 2012. We remember strongly moment by moment and we don’t forget your kindness, patience, availability and decision in the choice of things to do!
Your sensitive, gentle, easygoing and loving image will be with us always.
You have certainly left a wonderful legacy to your family.
See you soon in our ideal conversation.
Melina, Nino and Valerio