Louis S. Molino

On August 22, 2016 Louis S. Molino (87) of Perry Hall, MD passed away; beloved husband of Gina Mossa Molino; devoted father of Daniel Molino (Rosemarie), Paula Molino Wolff (Douglas), Suzanne Molino Singleton (Kenneth) and Pamela Turnbull (Douglas); dear brother of Joseph Molino (Anna), Jean Lyons and the late John Molino and Matilda Schaferbein; loving grandfather of Paul (Jaclyn), Dante, Angelica, Logan, Lucas, Julian, Matthew, Justin (Tricia), Courtney, and Morgan and great grandfather of Ally, Jaxson, Kenley, and Kallie.

Relatives and friends may gather at Schimunek Funeral Home, Inc.,9705 Belair Rd., on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph (Fullerton) Church Friday at 9:30 am. Interment St. Joseph (Fullerton) Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the VFW Foundation at www.vfwfoundation.org or St. Joseph School (Fullerton) by mail at 8416 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD 21236 or by web at www.stjoeschool.org/ Online condolences may be left for the family at www.schimunekfuneralhomes.com

Louie’s Life

On August 24, 1929 in Baltimore, Maryland, Luigi Saverio Molino was born to Italian immigrants Luigi Molino & Anina Tana Molino of Vasto, Abruzzi, Italy. Lou’s parents had emigrated to NY City and then Baltimore; they had 5 children: John, Matilda, Jean, Louis and Joseph. Sadly, they lost 5 other children. First residing in Little Italy at 410 S. Eden Street, the Molinos moved to 2316 Fayette Street in Highlandtown where Lou was born. (Lou helped renovate that Little Italy house now owned by Danny & Paul; his brother John & family lived in it 60+ years).

Lou attended school at P.S. 27 (elementary), Hampstead Hill (middle), and Patterson Park High School where he graduated in 1948. He worked as an Arabber street merchant selling fruits and vegetables from a truck along the streets, having taken over his friend Joe’s business. Lou was drafted into the United States Army at age 21 and served for two years; he was stationed in Germany and visited Italy several times during leave to see his relatives. On the day of his discharge, he met Gina at a party. She said she liked his nice smile and handsome face. They’ve been in love since.

Louie went to bricklayer school, which launched his long career in construction; he retired in 1991 at age 62. He proudly pointed out numerous buildings around Baltimore as we passed by: “I helped build that one.” Louie and Gina’s first home was 7619 Spruce Road in Dundalk where they raised three of four children. There he built a brick addition onto the back. In 1968, alongside his construction amici, he built “the house up on the hill” at 9828 Foxhill Road, Perry Hall. He was genuinely proud of that brick rancher and lovingly tended every inch of it for 45 years. The Molinos were parishioners of Saint Joseph Church in Fullerton for close to 50 years and members of Perry Hall Pool for decades.

Lou’s love of cars was great. As a teenager, he bought inexpensive cars, drove them until they died, then bought another. His interests included his beloved tractor, his various pickup trucks, his tomato garden, beach trips and riding the waves with his kids, tinkering in the garage, a cold beer and cheap red wine in which he would add peach slices. He had a napkin fetish. And liked to put things on his head. He was an avid reader and held season tickets for the Baltimore Colts; he enjoyed watching sports, war movies and the news. He and Gina traveled often with friends, including on eight cruises. He often had a “side job” in progress, building brick bars, fireplaces, steps, churches and houses for his friends, relatives and kids. His toolbox, trowel, cement and wheelbarrow were never far from his reach.

With a zesty attitude for living life large, Luigi possessed the opposite personality of his calm wife Gina; he was the jokester, the goof, the life of the party, the gutsy guy with the lampshade on his head (literally). The Molinos backyard and club basement were often filled with family and friends during their many hosted parties. Lou should have been named “Frank” for the upfront stuff that erupted from his mouth. He pretty much acted the same way in any situation. Lou loved people and people adored him. He definitely liked attention! He yelled often – which scared our younger cousins – it was just part of “Uncle Louie’s” Italian makeup. There was often a silly song to sing for the grandkids and a ready joke to tell you, but usually he muffed up the punchline. He had his own senseless logic, for sure; we call it “Louie Logic.”

Louie is survived by his “first wife” Gina (as he jokingly named her) in a devoted marriage that spans 61 years; four children who he labeled #1, #2, #3 and #4: Daniel Philip (wife Rosemarie); Paula Lynne (husband Doug); Suzanne Rose (husband Ken); and Pamela Dawn (husband Doug); 6 grandchildren: Paul, Dante, Angelica, Logan, Lucas, Julian; 4 step-grandchildren: Matthew, Justin (wife Tricia), Courtney & Morgan; a great-granddaughter Ally; and 3 step-great-grandchildren Jaxson, Kenley & Kallie. Lou is survived by a brother, Joe, and a sister, Jean, many nieces and nephews, and a host of lifelong friends.