Obituary of Louis A. DiPalma

Mr. Louis A. "Lou" DiPalma, age 88 of Gloversville, died Monday evening, May 12, 2008 at the Fulton County Residential Health Care Facility, Gloversville. Lou was born December 12, 1919 in Gloversville, the son of the late Anthony and Nancy Liuzzi DiPalma. He was a 1937 graduate Gloversville High School, and later entered the automotive field. He worked at several local automobile dealerships including Farhart Buick and Pontiac, Rose Buick and B. Caringe Chevrolet. He graduated from General Motors Institute at Flint, Michigan in 1949. Prior to WWII, he was employed at the Watervliet Arsenal as a civilian employee and was awarded the U.S. Navy Award for Excellence. He returned to Gloversville and was employed by the N.Y.S. Division for Youth at Tryon School with the High Horizons program, from which he retired in 1982 as an instructor with many hats. His favorite sports were Baseball, Football, Bowling and Hunting. On April 26, 1941 he married Arlene Horning, and was happily married for 62 years. They were inseparable, enjoying much traveling throughout the U.S. and into Canada and Mexico. They also enjoyed having Katrina, a "Fresh Air Child" for many summers and holidays. She continued to keep in touch with him after 60 years. Arlene joined her parents, twin-sister Irene, her brother and her Lord on December 24, 2002. In 1946, Lou joined the Fremont Street United Methodist Church of Gloversville now Foothills Church, where he faithfully served for many years in many ways. He was a member and Vice President of the "Chevrolet Only The Best Club" for several years, also a member of the Gloversville Senior Citizens Club, the 55 Plus Club and the former Gloversville Red Mens Club. He was also a member of the Gloversville Police Dept. Auxiliary under Police Chief Louis Fish and Lt. Loren Baker until its disbandment. At F.M.C.C. he taught Women's Automobile Mechanics classes which were sponsored by the Women's Insurance Group of Fulton County. He is survived by his sister Julia Tropia of Gloversville, several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his sister Ruth Granito and his brothers Andrew and Mario DiPalma. Lou always considered himself very fortunate in having had a good life, a wonderful wife, good family, friends and neighbors. Always willing to help when needed, he believed that The Lord will care for him, and he will be with his loved ones forever. The family will receive relatives and friends from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont St; Gloversville, where a funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday. Interment will take place at FernDale Cemetery, Johnstown. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Salvation Army, 10 Spring St; Gloversville, or to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Avenue, Gloversville, or to the Arlene Horning DiPalma Music Scholarship Fund at Gloversville High School, 199 Lincoln St; Gloversville, NY 12078.