Louis Edward Lovell, age 96, passed away on November 5, 2019. He was born in Danbury, Connecticut in 1923 and lived in Newtown, Connecticut until moving to Orlando area with his family in 1960. He was a United States Army veteran of WWII and worked in sales and management. In Louis' younger years he was a member of The Gold Wing Club and the RV Club which allowed him to travel all over. He was also a car enthusiast. Mr. Lovell is preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle. Survivors include his sister, Helen Knapp of Rhode Island; brother-in-law, David Knapp (Bernie) DeBary; daughters, Joyce Mobley of Winter Springs and Sharon Lovell (Franklin Sturges) California; 2 grandsons, Ross Mobley (Shannon) of Winter Springs and Darren Mobley (Tiffany); 6 great grandchildren, Austin, Brayden, and Carson Mobley of Apopka: Jenna, Jasmine, and Josh Ashworth, and several nieces and nephews. Viewing will be held on Sunday, November 10 from 1-2pm with a Service at 2pm at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home-East Altamonte Chapel, 994 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs. Interment will follow at Glen Haven Memorial Park, Winter Park and then friends and family are invited to the home of Joyce Mobley, 1028 Talmo Street, Winter Springs from 4:30pm to 6:00pm. Join us for refreshments and conversation. www.baldwinfairchildeastaltamonte.com
The Story of Louis Edward Lovell As told to Roger Mobley
Early Life
Ed grew up in a small town in southern Connecticut, Newtown, located 70 miles northeast of New York City. After school and on weekends,at age 12-14, he would help around his father’s (Louie C. Lovell) garage. He would pump gas at 16 cents per gallon and clean up and do whatever was needed.
At age 16 he got his drivers license and continued his interest in mechanics by working at Lovell’s Garage. He purchased his first car in 1929. It was a Model A Ford pickup costing $50.00, as is. The first four vehicles he owned were either wrecked or needed repair. He would recondition them, drive them for a while, sell them and make enough to get something newer. His dad asked him to operate a small gas station about 12 miles out of town. After that he continued to work at Lovell’s Garage until he got that notice from Uncle Sam saying. “I Want You!” He enlisted at Fort Devon, Massachusetts and was medically discharged in Palm Springs, California.
After World War II, his father signed a contract with International Harvester to sell, service, and stock their brands of tractors, farm equipment, and parts. In 1949 his dad had a spacious two story building built to accommodate the inventory necessary. After the war Ed worked with him at the new dealership as he already had a manager for Lovell’s Garage. He was very successful there until he moved to Florida in 1960 due to poor health.
In Florida he went to work for Mr. Richard Passmore at Highway Equipment and Supply of Orlando. When he moved, he knew he would have many adjustments to make. Mr. Passmore helped to make that transition successful. He was very fortunate to have only two employers in his lifetime. First was his father, Louie C. Lovell who taught him to be honest, to be fair, and to treat people with respect. He enjoyed working with Mr. Passmore for nearly 24 years and always considered both Dick and his wife Peggy and their family very good friends.
When he retired, he enjoyed working around the house and keeping the outside in top shape. Home Life
Ed and Myrtle got married on December 19, 1942. After the war and things returned to normal as possible, they set out on the rest of their life together. Myrtle said that her blind date made life very interesting and exciting. They had 70 wonderful years together. They raised a small family but that was all they could ever ask for. They had two wonderful daughters. Sharon taught school in many places for over thirty years. She is now retired and enjoys traveling the world with her husband Frank Sturges. Joyce has been manager for Roger’s Irrigation and Repair for many years. She is also a mother, housewife (domestic engineer), and grandmother. Ed and Myrtle have two grandsons, Ross and Darren, and 6 great grandchildren.
Hobbies
Ed has traded cars, motorcycles, motor homes, and homes all his life. Ed’s first new car was a 1959 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, a fast car then, purchased for about $1000.00. Insurance was just $104.00 per year. Since that car, he strived for the perfect car which was a long journey. Over the years he purchased at least 30 cars, 12 of them new and the rest slightly preowned.
His love of motorcycles started in the 1970’s. If one wanted to ride a bike they had to attend a safety program which both Ed and Myrtle completed. After the class, Ed got a used 175CC Honda, but that didn’t last long. Bigger and better was yet to come. A few months later he bought a 350CC Honda. Well, that didn’t last long either. Myrtle now wanted to ride with him, so off to the dealer to see what was out there. He found a used 750CC Honda and off they went. Well, that one was not as comfortable as needed for what they wanted to do so off to the dealer again. The last bike was a 1200CC Goldwing Touring edition. They really enjoyed that machine. They traveled to the northeast, Midwest and attended many motorcycle rallies all over the southeast. They had many great memories.
As for motor homes, they wanted to see more of the country, especially the Midwest and west. After selling the last motorcycle it was off to a dealer again. They purchased a 1983 Jayco classic motor home. In the summer of 1984 they headed west to see the sights and visit Sharon who had been teaching in California for a number of years. After returning home from that experience they decided the 23 foot was not the right floor plan and too small. Off to the dealer again, over time there were 8 motor homes with different makes,models and floor plans. They enjoyed them all. At around $1.00 per gallon for fuel, what a way to see the USA! They sold the last motor home in 1999. They did not feel safe with the speeds and traffic on the highways.
Brookdale
After losing Myrtle in 2013 , Ed moved to Brookdale Altamonte Assisted Living in 2015.
Here he became Louis again as that was what was on his papers! He made wonderful friends at Brookdale. He especially enjoyed the musical presentations and winning at bingo.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18