Louis A Bernabo

Lou, age 87, beloved husband of Jean for 62 years died peacefully on August 4, 2015 at his home in Fairwinds Rio Rancho Retirement Center following an extended illness.  He was the son of the late Regina and Anthony Bernabo. Lou was a kind and gentle man with a smile for everyone, a heart of gold and a wonderful sense of humor. Prior to his long fight with Parkinson’s disease, he was an energetic man who was known for his long early morning walks around the neighborhood, his dedicated service to his church, his love of cooking and Italian food and his passion for golf.  He was born in West Hartford, CT. on September 13, 1927 where he graduated from Buckley High School.  He graduated with a BA degree from Trinity College in Hartford, CT. where he was on the undefeated football team and earned his master’s degree from St Michael’s College in Winooski, VT.   In 1953, fueled by a mutual interest in sports which lasted throughout their lives, Lou met his future bride, Jean Dimock.  Lou and Jean were married 62 years ago on May 9, 1953 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Meridian, CT. and were blessed with 2 sons. Lou was proud of his long military service where he served in both the Army and Air Force and retired after 20 years with a rank of Captain.  He was an ROTC instructor and served in the military at various posts in the U.S followed by service in Germany, Japan and Saudi Arabia.  Lou and Jean moved to Albuquerque in 1970 from Japan where he retired after many years with the NM Department of Labor.  Lou was an avid sports fan and a staunch Giants football fan as well as being a huge LOBO supporter.  He was a volunteer with the Rio Rancho Fire Department, a member of the ELKs and, along with his wife, an active, long time member of All Saints Lutheran Church in Albuquerque. Besides his parents, Lou was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Vince and Angeline Bernabo and a young brother.  He is survived by his wife Jean of 62 years, his 2 sons, Douglas Bernabo and wife Kristie of Gresham, OR. and Dr. Lawrance Bernabo and wife Diedre of Duluth, MN; his 5 grandchildren, Michael, Lorena, Tony and Zach Bernabo and Margaret Hemstorf; his sister-in-law, Carol Kania of CT.; his brother-in-law Bruce Dimock of FL; Dr. Elizabeth Nelson of MN and his many nieces, nephews and friends who will sorely miss him. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Fairwinds, Footprints Home Health and Gentiva Hospice who provided such loving care to Lou during his long illness. A memorial service will be held at All Saints Lutheran Church on Monday, August 10, 2015 at 11:00 am with a reception following the service at the church.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to All Saints Lutheran Church at 4800 All Saints Road, Albuquerque, NM 87120,  Gentiva Hospice, 5600 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 or the Parkinson’s Disease Association, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018. Funeral arrangements will be through Daniels Family Funeral Services Sara Chapel.  A military burial will be at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at 11:00 am. To view information or leave a condolence, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com  
Daniels Family Funeral Services
4310 Sara Road SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-892-9920