Louis F. Tallarico

June 11, 1931 – January 1, 2023

Visitation: Sunday, January 8th from 4:00-8:00 pm, Rosary at 7:30 pm

Gorsline-Runciman Tiffany Chapel 3232 W Saginaw St, Lansing

Funeral Mass: Monday January 9th 2023 11:00 am with visitation from 10:00-11:00 am

Church of the Resurrection, 1505 E Michigan Ave, Lansing

Did you ever have the opportunity to hold my Dad’s hand?

You might have thought “these are not the hands of such a hard working man”…

Born in Bergland, Upper Peninsula Michigan to hard working immigrant parents, Marcella Cummings and Fiore Tallarico. The last of 3 children, Mary Ann (Breda), Catherine (Epling) and Lou. The crazy stories of his antics in the UP and his midnight train ride with his friend John that landed them in Muskegon, are just the beginning of his story filled life.

A man who loved building and fixing things. His homes over the years, and his children’s homes, and any friend who needed an extra set of hands. Lou created a separate apartment to his first home for extra income. This afforded him the ability to provide he and Jeri their first home to build their young family. Tearing out walls, replacing roofs, fixing electrical outlets (without turning off the electricity!) to replacing toilets and everything in between, he was no stranger to the toolbox. Don’t have what you need? Improvise! That was his middle name.

An avid lover of hunting and fishing and being out doors. He frequently traveled up north with family and friends on annual hunting trips. Always happy when he got a deer, but his real pride and joy came from teaching the youngest hunter to the group his hunting knowledge and gun skills. He was a sharp shooter in the Marines. If you took your chances playing golf, bowling, shooting pool, darts or target practice with him, you better bring your “A” game-He had an eagle eye! He loved his annual hunting trips to Wyoming and Texas, and sharing wonderful stories afterwards.

Speaking of stories, he was an enchanting non-stop storyteller! Many stories from his 3 years of service in the Marine Corps that carried thru the core of his life. He kept the difficult stories mostly to himself, but loved to share the silly entertaining ones. Did you ever hear the one about his tour in Africa when he and his buddies taught a monkey how to smoke? Or the one while in Italy and he was ordered to give all the crew on his ship a haircut for inspection the very next day!? He went to shore, rounded up all the barbers he could find, then told his CO they were all “his familia”… He accomplished the task as ordered. Once a Marine, always a Marine!

The stories go on and on… From his years at 521 E Grand River running Tallarico’s Sanitary Barber’s started by his father Fiore in 1937-1960, then Lou’s Barber Shop from 1960 until it’s closing in 2011. The North End, as it was called, was his first home, literally, and second family. His family lived above the Barber Shop. The roots he created from his youth to retirement and beyond are long and deep. The relationships and connections he made there are strong and have been passed from generation to generation.

In the ‘60’s when long hair became the fashion, he applied for and converted his volunteer fireman status to full time fireman. He went back to school later in life and earned his Associates Degree in Fire Science and EMT. I remember us sitting at the kitchen table, doing homework together. He served 25 years with the Lansing Township Fire Department, working his way to Captain. He inspired neighbors, their children, nephews and great nephews into lifetimes of fire service with various fire departments. Many a holiday dinner was enjoyed by our family at the fire station. Dad would cook the turkey or ham at the station and Mom would lovingly prepare all the sides. We would pack up the station wagon and transport Christmas or Easter dinner and presents to be enjoyed and shared at the Fire Station. How many families get to eat their holiday dinners in the truck room?!

He continued to operate the Barber Shop on his days off while being a fire fighter until he retired in 2011.

He was definitely a “Hero Type” in so very many ways. Always there to help and serve how ever he could. Rescuing people from burning buildings to delivering babies in the cab of the fire truck in the middle of a blizzard! Or baking “Funeral Cakes” for the ladies auxiliary of Resurrection Church after Jeri passed, he carried on her tradition of service to their church. In his words, “How many cakes do you need? I can make a cake!”

Our camping trips were legendary. Mostly to the shores of Lake Michigan. Dad liked the woods. Mom liked the beach. So we experienced many aspects of the amazing landscapes of Michigan. Many family and friends joined in and great times, and more stories were made and shared. From saving our brother Pat, his friends and family dog Snoopy after being swept off the pier in Grand Haven to setting up camp for his family then driving back to Lansing for his 24 hour shifts of fire duty on the days he could not trade so we could continue to enjoy our vacation.

Dad loved his pontoon boat! Carefully navigating his aging father and mom’s aging grandmother onto the boat to take them out on a ride around the lake, to teaching his young daughters to waterski behind the boat. No easy task for a boat designed to go slow! But his ingenuity and innovation came thru once again! Every vacation supplied more stories and precious memories.

His love of stock car racing was long and deep. From the early years of working in ”the pits” as a volunteer firefighter, ready and willing to jump in and assist in any crash or emergency situation. To the years when his son and grandson raced around the track creating fear and exhilaration all at the same time. He loved being at the ready to be of service.

You can’t separate Dad from Mom. Their love of their children and family united them far beyond their wedding vows. Always there to help with the opening of a new family business, many moves, attending an artistic or sporting event, or at your side during illness, to the gathering of family and friends at holidays. Family was their core thru thick and thin.

Second only to family was their devotion to the Church of the Resurrection. Life long members of both the church and school, all 6 children attended Resurrection School, as did Lou! Their tireless support of the church, the school and the proliferation of their Catholic beliefs was core to their marriage. Their dedication to the annual fundraising OX Roast Festival was legendary. They gave tirelessly to it’s success for many, many years. “Lucky Lou’s Casino” and “Jammin’ Jeri’s Game Tent” are a testimony to their legacy of giving.

He participated and volunteered at many service organizations, including: The Church of the Resurrection OX Roast Festival Chairman, Ushers Club, Resurrection School 7th grade Basketball Coach 1977, Cub Scout Pac 227 Den Leader, Gabriels Community Credit Union Credit Committee, Catholic War Veterans, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry, Lansing Township Fire Department Volunteer Fire Fighter, North End Business Owners Association. How did he do all that and raise six children?

Lou’s memory was impressive. One fairly recent Christmas, the kids were playing Monopoly in the kitchen and he was in the family room reading the paper. Dice rolled and a marker would land on a property. Dad would exclaim from the next room “you owe them $36!” He retained all the details of games of Monopoly played with mom and his Marine buddies at Camp Lejeune!

It is impossible to omit his last 6 months of his life as a resident of the Gunnisonville Assisted Living Facility. This was a difficult transition for him. He was fiercely independent and strong. His charm and fascinating stories captured the hearts of all of his caregivers and provided them endless laughter and warmth. His big smile would light up the room. They became our extended family. In fact, one of his favorite caregivers father was one of Dad’s customers at the Barber Shop. She recalled stories of sitting in the barbershop playing with toys while her dad received his bi-weekly haircut. Life really does go around, then come back around.

When his grandchildren were asked about favorite memories of Grandpa, there were many, but one was unanimous. The BEST pancakes they have ever had! He would get up early and make them whenever we would visit. Crispy on the edges, soft and fluffy on the inside. Always paired with a large plate of cut up oranges and bananas and of course, mystery sausage! It is the simplest of memories that touch us the most.

He was generous and kind hearted. He hated turning anyone away who applied for a loan when he was on the credit committee at Gabriels Community Credit Union. He was the good Samaritan always helping someone to fill out government forms who needed help and proving affordable housing above the Barber Shop in the home of his youth, to those who had very little. Always a hand of kindness…

The softness of my dad’s hands? Well, that was a reflection of his big heart! Very strong and tough on the outside, but a generous soft-hearted man on the inside.

As his 5 year old great-grandson said, “Even though we cannot see Great-Grandpa anymore we can still care about him and love him.”

Lou is preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Geraldine “Jeri” Elizabeth (Lasky) Tallarico 2018, Son Patrick Fiore Tallarico 1987, Son-in-law Larry Robertson 2021.

He is survived and missed by his 5 children 9 grand-children, 3 great-grand children:

Kimberley Wright (Robert) GC Laura, Steven (Claire) GGC: Chase & Blake

Lisa Tallarico-Robertson

Michael Tallarico GC Tanner

Christopher Tallarico (Sue) GC Chelsea, Ashley Motsay (Frankie) GGC Penelope, Holly Binnig (Steve)

Cathleen Coleman (Jim) GC Emily, Joseph, Benjamin

Sister: Catherine Epling. Many nieces, nephews.

Dear, life long friend: Maxine Murdoch.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent DePaul fund at the Church of the Resurrection. Friends may visit the guest book at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com