Obituary of Lou Madonna

It is with broken hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Lou, on Saturday March 9, 2024 at the Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH).

He will be dearly missed by his children, Frances Barrett (Terry), Anthony (Clara), Terry (Anna), Jackie Blair (Bill), and John (Jenn). His grandchildren, Stephen (Cheryll), Jennifer (A.J.), Brianne (Ashton), Matthew (Stephanie), Taylor, Hunter, Lauren, and Cole. His great grandchildren Stephen, Lincoln and Gabriella and great great grandchildren Severyn and Perennial. He is now reunited with the mother of his children, Diane.

Lou was born in Sault Ste. Marie on December 10, 1933 to the late Francesca and Giovanni. He is survived by his brother Robert (Linda) and predeceased by siblings Frank (Velia), Tony (Isabelle), Nora Jewell (Lorne), and David (Mary). Brother-in-law of late Estelle Pollari (late Jerry), late Maurice Dube (Delores), Jeannine Lafreniere (late Leo), and Frank Dube (Sonia).  

Uncle Lou’s first-class style and quick wit will be fondly remembered by his many nieces, nephews, and friends, who he always treated as family.

It may be difficult to find someone who was as deeply committed to his community as Lou. As an optician and owner of Madonna Optical, his long-standing residency and support landed him the unofficial title of “Mayor of Station Mall”. More formally, Lou served as councilor and Reeve in Prince Township for many years as well as a volunteer firefighter. He was proud to work and live in Sault Ste. Marie and Prince Township. He passionately advocated for the things that meant most to him through his involvement on many boards, committees, and volunteer groups (there are too many to list!). Always the first to offer a helping hand; he was generous, sometimes to a fault. He was a member of Knight’s of Columbus 4^th Degree, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, and an honorary member of the P.B.O. Elks of Canada.   

In his spare time, it’s hard to believe he had any, you could find him at a local race track, attending a sporting event, on a snowmobile, a seadoo, or any other vehicle that he could drive fast. He was instrumental in introducing snowmobile racing to the Sault by co-founding Sault Trailblazers and launching the I-500 snowmobile races. He was known to pack his motorhome with as many of his friends and family as he could and travel to Detroit to watch the Lions or you could find him in his season ticket seat, watching the Soo Greyhounds. In his later years, you could often spot him cruising on his pontoon boat accompanied by his family on a sunny day out on Havilland Bay.

Despite his busy schedule, dad always put his family first. Whether it was through daily phone calls or catching up at Sunday breakfast, he was a constant in the lives of his children. This extended to his grandchildren as he never missed an opportunity to cheer them on, be it at a dance recital or a high school football game. Always young at heart and quick to crack a dirty joke until the very end. We will miss you – you were our family’s rock, our glue; you are a legend.

The family would like to thank Dr. Booth, Rochelle at Bayshore, and the palliative care and support team. To the angels of ARCH (yes, that’s you too Lisa), we cannot thank you enough for ensuring that dad’s last days were comfortable and comforting. 

Friends and family are invited to visit Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Road, 705-945-7758) on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held in the Chapel on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to ARCH would be greatly appreciated by the family. 
 

Dad, your love was felt near and far, and will continue to be felt forever through the family and friends that will tell stories of you for many generations.