Louis R. Monticello

Born March 21, 1933, in Syracuse, New York, Louis R. Monticello passed away December 15, 2012 following a brief illness. Lou began his career as a young man of ten year’s old working in the family grocery store. He often said some of his best memories were in that grocery store where he would make 500 pounds of sausage a week for Syracuse area restaurants and grocery stores. After a brief stint in the Marines, he returned to Syracuse to sweep his bride off her feet and spend the next 57 years together. He graduated from his beloved Syracuse University, taking the “Saltine Warrior” in him to every new opportunity. Moving through the ranks in teachers unions he obtained the position that brought our family to Michigan in 1976 at the Michigan Education Association, as associate executive director. From there he focused on non-profit management eventually becoming executive vice president and secretary of the Michigan Manufacturers Association, where he retired from in 2001. During those years his two favorite words were ‘due diligence’ and he carried it with everything he did. He became passionate about association management as a career and was heavily involved in the Michigan Society of Association Executives where he became chairman of the board. He brought many innovative programs to the industry and helped model MSAE into the organization it is today by spearheading a three-way merger. His passion for his work culminated in being inducted into MSAEs Hall of Fame in 2007. In retirement he enjoyed his family and friends but most of all, his little princess, granddaughter Nina. She was and is the heart of his soul. There was rarely a Syracuse basketball or football game missed in our house and we will fly the Syracuse flag proudly for the man who bled orange. He was preceded in death by his mother Josephine, father Ralph, sister Caroline and brother Ralph. He is survived by his bride of 57 years, Mary Jane, his son Lou and granddaughter Nina, along with many family and friends. Visitation will be Tuesday, Dec., 18, 2012 from 5 to 8 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 900 Michigan Ave., Lansing. Funeral services will be held at St. Gerard Catholic Church, 4437 W. Willow, Lansing, Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 11:30 am with military honors to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made in Lou’s name to either Lansing Christian School Scholarship Fund or the Father Weber School Fund. Online condolences may be sent to: www.gorslineruncimanlansing.com