Louis H. Pells

Louis H Pells, aged 92, of East Harwich, died on the morning of May 9, 2016. A lifelong musician, WWII veteran, Radio and Media Executive, husband, beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather, Lou leaves behind many friends, acquaintances, and family throughout his career of providing for and entertaining all those around him.

Born in Rhinebeck, N.Y., in 1924 and attending Rhinebeck Public Schools like his father before him, he fostered his great love of march music and his devotion to all things John Philip Sousa, eventually naming his first son after the March King legend. Louis served his country in the Army, 99th Infantry Division during WWII, a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge and rising to the rank of Lieutenant before his discharge in 1946 . Under the GI Bill, he graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Green Mountain College, a B.S. in Psychology from St. Lawrence University, and a Public Relations/ Broadcast Journalism degree from Boston University. He began his career in Public Relations as a salesman for radio stations WEOK/WPDH in Poughkeepsie N.Y., rising to President and General Manager during his 29-year tenure, including hosting the Hyde Park Show and many weekly editorials broadcast throughout the Hudson Valley. He taught advertising at Marist College, Dutchess Community College, and Cape Cod Community College, where he also worked as assistant to the President and Director of Informational Services. His contributions to community include PR Director of the United Way/Heart Fund and the Lions Club in Poughkeepsie, as well as President of the Toastmasters Club, board memberships of the Chamber of Commerce and YMCA, as well as serving on the Vestry at St. James Episcopal Church in Hyde Park, N.Y.

After a lifetime residing in the Hudson Valley, Lou returned permanently to Olde Cape Cod with his wife Ann and family after many years of vacationing at Little Bay Village in Dennisport. Yearly jaunts to Florida were timed to coincide with the growing season here on the Cape, where his tomato production was legendary, especially to the residents of Black Ball Hill Rd. Anticipating the arrival of the seed catalogs and starting his plantings were cherished times for Lou, as was the arrival of the first red tomato of the season, along with his numerous other award-winning crops.

Lou was an avid sports enthusiast throughout his life. Playing multiple sports through high school and college, Lou went on to root for his beloved Detroit Tigers and eventually the Red Sox, analyzing pitching scenarios and strategy, even earning his Umpiring Certificate to officiate at high school, college, and the “Over 30 League” games throughout Cape Cod and the Islands, memorably throwing himself to the dirt to make the practiced call of “yer OUT” to the delight of attending family. Lou served as Chairman of Public Relations for the Cape Cod Baseball League as well as being a fan, attending as many games as he possibly could.

As the leader of the Lou Pells’ Oom Pah Band, his tuba playing resonated throughout the highways and byways of Cape Cod and the Hudson Valley before. The party never started at the beer tent until Lou and his bandmates gave a hearty “Eins, Zwei, Drei . . . Zuppa!” Organizing and booking parades, concerts, and Octoberfests along with numerous local festivals cemented his performance-based service to the communities he so loved. Originally a cornet player, he switched to sousaphone early on in his life, transposing the music as he read it from treble to bass clef, never missing a stinger. Lou played for the AFM Local 238 Musicians Union Band, the Chatham Band, the Harwich Town Band, Cape Cod Conservatory Wind Ensemble, the Cape Community Orchestra, and the Brewster Town Band, as well as Master of Ceremonies for their Sunday evening concerts. His love and expertise of John Philip Sousa and brass band music were unparalleled, reluctantly ending his performing career at age 89 after more than 75 years. Iconic photographs and portraits of Lou playing appear all over Cape Cod in art galleries, displays, and even a postcard or two, the epitome of Americana. (His bad jokes, however, will not be missed.)

Louis is survived by his wife of 63 years Ann (Duncan) Pells, and his sister Jean (Pells) Fitton and her husband Cpt. Cyrus F. Fitton of Carmel, CA. He leaves his daughters Gail Dunning Pells and Leah Hamilton Belliveau; sons John Philip Pells (Sara F.) and Mark Louis Pells (Milica S.); grandchildren Elijah W. Caron (Karenda), Kyle Jo Menze, D.O. (Shivank Gupta), Ross H. Menze, Ryley H. Pells, and Hannah S. Pells, as well as five great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and great and grand nieces and nephews, all held close to his heart. He is also survived by his dearest friend and oyster companion Gerald A. Belliveau. Lou was predeceased by his faithful ‘wutches’ and feline companions, having outlived all but one.

Memorial donations may be made in Lou’s name to The Nauset Music Boosters Club, P.O.Box 2528, Orleans, MA 02653.

Visiting hours will be held from 11a-12:30p on Monday, June 27th at Nickerson Funeral Home, 87 Crowell Road, Chatham. A funeral service will follow the visiting hours, beginning at 12:30p in the funeral home, followed by burial in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.

For online condolences please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com