Malucci, Louis James

Louis James Malucci, 90 years of age passed away peacefully March 29, 2023.  He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Dorelle, his daughters, Shelley (Don), Shirley (Warren III), his son, David (Donna), and his youngest daughter, Dorelle (Richard), and grandchildren, Ryan, Jason, Laura, Kaitlyn, Emily, and Eileen.

Louis was a native of Fairport, born in his parent’s home on Park Street.  Accepting an ROTC scholarship, Lou attended Oberlin College where he met his wife, Dorelle.  Lou spent 4 years of active duty in the United States Airforce as a B-47 Navigator in the Strategic Air Command.  Upon becoming an active reservist, he returned home to Fairport to raise his family and live a life filled with the many activities that brought him numerous lifelong friendships and joy.  Whether enjoying a Red Wings or Amerks game, singing in the St. John of Rochester church choir, Genesee Valley Orchestra and Chorus or Rochester Oratorio Society, reminiscing with former Airforce buddies, playing softball until the age of 85, playing trumpet with the Fairport VFW band, or just enjoying long Sunday drives to Letchworth Park with his family, Lou made and crossed paths with friends everywhere he went.  

Lou had the great fortune of traveling the world during his 28 years of military service.  He entertained everyone he met with stories of “dropping engines” over the Pacific, flying a twin engine military cargo plane from Niagara Falls to Taiwan while standing on a stack of books and looking through a dome in the top of the plane in order to shoot the stars with a sextant and slide rule.  One of Lou’s greatest passions was likely writing his book, B-47 Stratojet: Be a Nuclear Deterrent to the Nuclear Threat of the Cold War, which illuminated the dangers faced by crews flying a newly engineered plane; a plane which was our greatest defense against a nuclear threat during the Cold War, but also a plane which encountered numerous disasters.  For years, in addition to being a member of the Military Officers Association of America, Lou spoke to various groups about the B-47 bomber and running missions in support of the Panama Canal.  All of this while Lou earned an MBA in finance, worked as an inventory control systems analyst, and made time to spend with his kids, playing tennis, playing catch, ice skating, and attending every child’s game, concert, or parade. 

Lou’s dream was to continue these travels upon retirement, a dream realized.  Traveling with Dorelle, they took cruises, traveled all parts of Europe, and visited his greatest love, the Moorings in Bar Harbor, Maine.  For 35 years, he would call his children every August as he sat by the ocean, watched the boats, ate lobster, and most importantly, drank a martini.

Lou was a character who muscled through the various setbacks of aging, determined to enjoy his life to the very end.  He was the most loyal man around, a man of old-fashioned integrity, with an absolute heart of gold.  He will be missed by all who knew him.  Lou will be laid to rest at White Haven Memorial Park.  In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting the fine arts by donating to the Rochester Oratorio Society.

Calling Hours Monday April 3, 2023 12-1PM at St. John of Rochester Church 8 Wickford Way Fairport, Where a Funeral Mass will immediately follow.