(Click on the image for information, pictures, and salutes.)
INFORMATION REGARDING SERVICES
Visitation: 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday, June 25, 2017, Swartz Funeral Home, Flint, MI (810-743-3050) Website: http://www.swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
Funeral Service: 10 a.m. Monday, Holy Redeemer Church, 1227 East Bristol Rd, Burton, MI 48529 Website: http://www.holyredeemerburton.org
In lieu of flowers, there will be organizations listed for contributions on the funeral home’s website.
Obituary: Click Here
If you have some pictures of Lou you wish to share, please send them to jmowens2@gmail.com
Posted after the pictures are reprints of salutes we added to Lou’s last newsletter.
PICTURES (click on picture to enlarge)
from Mike Wisniewski
from Jim Owens
REPRINTS OF SALUTES ADDED TO LOU’S LAST NEWSLETTER
Tribute to Lou Giampetroni
Lou Giampetoni has contributed a tremendous amount of time and energy to the NPA. We feel it is time to let him know how much we appreciate his efforts. Below please find a set of quotes from selected paddleball players of the past and present who know of and appreciate Lou’s contributions to the sport of paddleball.
Scott Lawrence, Lorri Brigham, and Jim Owens
Great Idea!
I once made a wood carving of Lou’s last name GIAMPETRONI and pulled out the letters NPA. I wrote on the piece that “You can’t take the NPA out of Giampetroni”, and I’m sure Lou’s wife Sue would agree! I recently designed a button that had a picture of the world on it and printed “PADDLEBALL…the center of my universe”.
I remember Lou telling me that button pretty much summed it up for him. We love you Lou and Sue, and so does PADDLEBALL and all the players!
Wack
Lou is someone special. His creative writing–attention to detail–
fantastic memory–commitment and loyalty to Paddle Ball–and unending
enthusiasm–have helped all of us to maintain an interest in, and love for,
the great game of Paddle Ball.
Al Storey
This sounds like a really great Idea!
There are few people in our circles that have had the kind of impact to the sport of paddleball that Lou has!
Here are a few of things that really stand out from knowing Lou for the past 35 years of tourneys.
In all the years I have never known anyone with as much love for the game as Louy it’s always there and its contagious.
Lou’s years of record taking and writing of our sport has really helped keep paddleball alive and on the radar.
His words of encouragement and the analysis of my game over the years has been helpful and insightful.
Wiz
I don’t know where the sport of paddleball would be without Lou. He is the one we rely on for keeping our history alive. I once had to do the newsletter for a few rounds while Lou was unable and until you have tried you can not comprehend how much work it takes to put that all together! Lou has been doing that for years with very little thanks or acknowledgement. However, all of those accomplishments pale in comparison to the great person that our Lou is. He is always smiling, cheerfull, our ambassador at all tourneys. Truly one of the nicest men I have ever, or will ever, meet. I feel honored to know you, Lou!
Lorri
LOU GIAMPETRONI: I REMEMBER HIS FACE & BODY A VERY SPECIAL PERSON–IN A SPECIAL SPORT!!!!
In 1965, at the age of 30, I was introduced to Paddleball by a friend, who took me to the Old IM Building at the University of Michigan, and proceeded to thump me really good. I vowed that “one day, I would beat him”, and months later when that day arrived, he introduced me to another friend, who proceeded to thump me. Finally, after 10 years of “meeting his friends”, I had improved enough to be playing in the court with guys like Paul Lawrence, Craig Finger, Rod Grambeau, Dick Pitcher and Moby Benedict. But, my days of learning on the paddleball courts were just beginning.
In 1976, at the age of 41 and weighing in at 163 pounds (remember that weight), I was talked into entering my first paddleball tourney. It was held by Marvin Gans at a local junior college and I entered as a “no name” player. Well, you might have guessed it–my first opponent was a short guy from Flint who had been forever involved in the operation to the NPA. Yes, Lou Giampetroni was the first opponent. Of course, Lou could only wonder–”who is this guy?” never heard of from Ann Arbor. In short, that was the first of many matches against this wonderful person. Lou remembers well me advancing to the finals where my opponent was John Shaw. John ran me around the court like a greyhound chasing a rabbit. Having the winning point on my paddle, I managed to blow the opportunity, and eventually lost to John, 21-20, 20-21, 21-20.
Well, that was the beginning of tournament paddleball and me, and my long friendship with Lou. I became seriously involved in paddleball. Dick Pitcher, my doubles partner, and I hosted many tourneys–and the first person there was always Lou–who came early to help. Lou was also always the last person there–to help shut down the event. With wife, Susan, the G’s contributed more that one could believe, and no one was more committed to the success of the sport.
Lou, almost single handedly, wrote the NPA Newsletter. We served on the NPA Board of Directors together–and Lou did the vast majority of the work for the association. He was “always the man”!
After I quit playing paddleball, I occasionally dropped in on paddleball tourneys to say “hi” to many great friends and players. Usually, Lou and Susan were there, and we relived the happy moments of the past. We met at many happy occasions and a few sad ones like Val’s funeral.
We both battled with health issues, but we have survived.
Well, many years passed, but I kept eating, and playing less and less. About 2 years ago, there was a tourney at that same Old IM Building, and I thought I should drop by to see “the guys”– (now, with the grey hair). It had been quite a few pounds and years since I had last seen Lou and Susan. Weighing in at 240 pounds (now, you can remember the 163 pounds of 1976) I found Lou. We hugged and said nice things to each other. Then from out of the crowd came Susan, saying “I remember Ron Pudduck, I remember his face–I’ll never forget his face!” She quickly approached me stopped and said, “Ron Pudduck, I could never forget your face!” Then, slowly looking me up and down, Susan said, “But, I do not remember that body on you!”
Time moves on! But, friends are still friends–forever. In one’s life, you are lucky if you ever have a friend like Lou and Susan. My life has been “lucky” because I have had them as part of my life. And, for those of you who know them–you are lucky, too!!!
Ron Pudduck
Lou Giampetroni is truly a giant in the sport of paddleball. Nobody has done more for the game over such a long period of time. I first met Lou in the early 1970’s and I think with awe about all of the tournaments entered, seeding meetings attended and games officiated by Lou over those past forty years. He is gentleman on and off the court. I am extremely proud to have been one of his many…many tournament doubles partners. Lou, may you continue to play the great game of paddleball for many years to come.
Dick Pitcher
I believe Lou told me one time that no one person is greater than the game of paddleball. However, even within that context, I believe it is conceivable to say he just might be bigger. Perhaps, “No Lou = No Newsletter = No NPA = No Paddleball.” Lou is the Godfather of Paddleball, and without him, well…”Who Knows?” Cheers to Louie G., a fine man and quintessential figure/supporter of paddleball, and can’t imagine where paddleball would be without you!
Chad Krager
Lou was one of the reasons I kept playing paddleball. He gave so much to the game, was so much fun to play with, and he always had such good stories. I could and can still count on Lou to have some great story about some player in the past. He is part of the game now. He is a legend!
Andrew J Mitchell
Recently I had a conversation with Lou’s wife. Sue told me the late Tom Ballantine, a major contributor to the NPA in his time, once said if Lou did as much for a business as he did for the NPA, they’d be millionaires.
Lou has unquestionably been and continues to be a workhorse for the organization. At age 80, he puts out four quality newsletters a year, serves as our best resource for paddleball history, and functions as a valuable member of the board of managers. I often seek and receive his counsel.
Paddleball is Lou’s passion. He has served as a role model for so many of us. If asked to list my heroes in sports, Lou would be in the top two. Who has more fun playing the game?
If asked to list my heroes in life, Lou would certainly be on the short list. His sense of dedication, passion, sportsmanship, sense of humor, respect for others, and integrity makes him an admirable individual in my eyes. We who know Lou Giampetroni are better because of it.
Jim Owens
FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME
Louie G. — Mr. Paddleball of Flint, of Michigan and the NPA.
When thinking of the game, the first person who comes to mind is Lou.
There was not a better worker, organizer or promoter for the game. He spent endless hours planning and organizing tournaments at all levels.
The game grew because of his many skills in communications with all players. He was nothing but a gentleman on and off the court. Don’t get me wrong — he would argue a “skip” with Val and I but he never won.
Louie loved the game and was a skilled and shrewd competitor.
Paddleballers everywhere know of the many contributions and the impact he left on the game. His name is synonymous with paddleball–even here in South Florida.
Your friend Max
