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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
MORO, Luigi Gesepe (Lou) - The Beautiful Life of Lou Moro: Luigi Gesepe Moro – May 18th, 1927 to April 25th, 2023
Lou was the son of Italian immigrants, Natale and Amabile Moro. Natale and Amabile left Northern Italy and traveled across the Atlantic, arriving in New York. From New York, they made their way to Canada and settled in Timmons, Ontario. There, they welcomed their four beautiful children into the world – Greg, Louis, Norma and Joe.
Those who knew Lou know that he was the epitome of hard work and determination. Having lost his father at the young age of 11, he spent anytime not in school, working at the bowling alley as a pin setter, to help feed his family. To further support his family, at 13, he left school to work full-time as a labourer.
In 1945, at 17 years old, Lou was eager to join the Canadian Military. With the signature of his mother, he officially enlisted in the Canadian Royal Navy, where he proudly served for 25 years. He worked his way up in rank and retired as Master Warrant Officer. He was highly respected and loved by all those who served with him. Lou loved to tell stories of his time at sea. He shared many tales about the ships he served on, a few honourable mentions include: HMCS Haida, HMCS Magnificent (“The Maggie”) and his fondest, HMCS Bonaventure (“The Bonnie”), a majestic class aircraft carrier. With the Navy, Lou travelled around the world, served in the Korean War, and was even his ship’s star boxer – he never lost a match in his career. One of his favourite memories from his time serving was when he and crewmates were sent to British Columbia to pick up The Bonnie and sail it back to Atlantic Canada for deployment.
While posted in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Lou was enjoying a night out (at what is now known as Bearly’s House of Blues and Ribs on Barrington Street) where he met Florence Briand, a widowed mother of three – Shirley, Marlene and Gordie. They fell in love and Lou became a husband and father when they were married on February 19th, 1955. Lou and Florence welcomed three more beautiful children into the world together – Sylvana, Maria and Greg. Although Lou’s naval career kept him away from home for extended periods of time, his six kids adored him and have many fond memories with him.
Lou was the Recreation Coordinator in Shannon Park and ensured the kids on base, including his own, were having fun and being active. A few standout memories were family trips to Beeler’s Beach (now Kinsmen First Lake Beach) for corn boils, trips on the tugboat to McNab’s Island while singing ‘99 bottles of beer on the wall’, and winters when he would get out the hose and make a skating rink in the yard for the neighborhood kids. His children vividly recall on one specific occasion at Christmastime in Shannon Park, the Salvation Army carolers were walking around the base singing Christmas carols to the families, and Lou invited the carolers, smartly dressed in uniforms and with their instruments, into their small apartment living room to provide food, beverages, and most of all warmth and love.
Lou was a trained and active lifeguard for many years and saved three people on three separate occasions from drowning. On two of those occasions, he was on a school trip as a chaperone, once with his son and years later with his granddaughter, both times he noticed a child struggling out in the water and immediately jumped to action, and saved their lives. Lou’s keen eye and life-saving skills were inspired by his own experience when he was young; he was swimming in a lake, became fatigued and started struggling, he told us how he remembers suddenly feeling a hand on his back, pushing him towards shore. By the time he got out of the water and looked around all he could see was the person who had saved him walking off in the distance.
After retiring from the military, Lou worked for The Halifax School for the Blind as a house parent. Lou was passionate about working with children and often shared stories about taking the kids out on the bus for local adventures. He would bring the kids to his home to have dinner, sing songs and spend time with his family. It brought him pure joy to help children learn and have fun. He also worked at the Red Fox Tavern in Halifax, as a waiter, and was consistently voted top employee for his commitment, cleanliness and care. Patrons would request to sit at his tables so they could receive his incredible service and fun-loving nature. Lou was truly young at heart and is dearly remembered for all the joy and love he brought to the lives of others.
After his retirement from The Halifax School for the Blind, Lou happily took on the role of Papa to his granddaughters Erica and Kendra. From the time they were born in 1986 and 1990, respectively, he was present in their lives almost every day. From driving them to and from school, to making family meals, to caring for them when they were sick or in need, he cherished the significant role he had in their lives, and all the memories they created together. He fondly shared stories of the special times he spent with them growing up, like when they were little girls and he’d take them for a drive on the sleepy trail (the Herring Cove loop) for nap time. He’d chuckle that Erica would be fast asleep within minutes on the route, while by the end of the trail Kendra was still wide awake. Erica and Kendra remained close with their Papa and were privileged to spend his final hours with him.
Lou had the greatest zest for life! He loved creating gadgets and had an incredibly innovative and resourceful mind. Once each new gadget was completed, he would proudly share his inventions with his family providing demonstrations and all. Lou loved to learn and throughout his lifetime he was an avid reader. His passion for athletics and personal commitment to physical fitness was evident, as even at 85+ years young he was calling his family at 7:00 am to report about the pushups, sit-ups and stretches he had done – challenging them to do 60 second planks.
Lou truly enjoyed every day and lived each day in gratitude and joy. He was always looking for ways to brighten someone’s day, to make a child smile, to help someone in need, or care for others. He was an absolute inspiration, a legend, an earth angel – and now our angel in the sky. He will be deeply missed, but we know he will never be far from us.
In closing, our family would like to share our warmest regards and gratitude for the incredible individuals and teams that cared for Lou: Dr. Andrew Humphrey and staff, Dr. Ricardo Rendon and Liette Connor, Dr. Greg Mackenzie and staff, Vena Anderson and pharmacy staff at the Spryfield Guardian, all the Doctors and nurses on 5A at the Victoria General Hospital, Dr. Hebb, the nurses and other healthcare workers at Camp Hill Veteran’s Memorial Building, 5 East, and all the other amazing healthcare workers that helped care for Louie in his final years. To the team at TJ Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, thank you for your special care of Luigi.
Private family burial only.
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