With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Louie “Lou” Belcastro, 94, of Lumberport. He left this Earth on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from the West Virginia Veteran’s Nursing Facility in Clarksburg. He was born on September 19, 1930 in Bethlehem, WV to the late Frank and Anita (Bartolo) Belcastro.
If you knew Lou, you know he was a true gentleman known for his love of a good joke and sports. He demonstrated a compassion for others and for animals, especially his cats.
Lou, the sixth son of Frank and Anita (Bartolo) Belcastro of Shinnston, was known to those closest to him as “Babe” – a name his momma called him since he was the “baby” of the family.
In addition to his parents, Lou is preceded in death by his brothers: John, Jim, Joe and Dominick and a niece Mary Evelyn.
Lou is survived by his sister-in-law, Mildred Belcastro and by seven nieces and nephews: Tina Hanna, Anita Ballard, John Belcastro II, Joyce Miker, Joseph Belcastro, Chrissy Arco and Debra Benedetti and by many great nieces and nephews as well as great great nieces and nephews including a special great nephew, Eric Miker and his Godson, Terry Shimp.
Louie graduated from Shinnston High School, class of 1949, where he played on the basketball, baseball and track teams and was freshman class president and president of the student council his senior year. After graduation, he enrolled at Clarksburg Business College and pursued a degree in accounting which he put to use as he was hired by the Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company and worked for the company for thirty years. When he retired, he held the position of manager at the West Union A & P store.
His time at the A & P store was interrupted for a short while when he enlisted in the United States Marines during the Korean conflict and served from 1950 to December 1953.
With the end of the war, the Corp asked him to stay on as a member of the Marine Corp Reserves to serve as Employment Interviewer until December of 1953. He was awarded the National Defense Medal and earned the rank of Corporal.
One would not hear him speak a negative word of others and always stood up for “the underdog.”
He was a sport “fanatic.” His favorite baseball team was the Los Angeles Dodgers and basketball team was the LA Lakers. It goes without question that he was a WVU Mountaineer fan and a fan of Shinnston and the Lincoln High School sports. He attended many games over the years following local sports, especially watching his great nieces and nephews play.
He was a fierce competitor. He played tennis into his 80s and bocce three times a week until a few months ago. He played with the Knights of Columbus of Fairmont and was on a team in the Shinnston Bocce League. He was a member of the Italian Heritage trivia team who placed first in the competition for a number of years.
He loved a good meal and enjoyed eating out a few times each week.
Lou was Catholic by faith and therefor in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Ann Parish at 43 Mahlon St., Shinnston, WV 26431 or The Lord’s Pantry at 77 Church St., Shinnston, WV 26431.
Family and friends will be received at Dorsey Funeral Home on Saturday, December 14, 2024 and Sunday, December 15, 2024 from 3:00pm until 8:00pm. Rosary recital on Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 7:30pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Akila Rodrigo T.O.R. and Rev. Deepu Joseph on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 11:00am at St. Ann Catholic Church 601 Pike St., Shinnston. Interment to follow at Shinnston Memorial Cemetery with military honors provided by United States Marine Corp and Harrison County Honor Guard.
Dorsey Funeral Home is honored to be handling the arrangements for the Belcastro family.
