Obituary of Louis A. Petrosino

Local businessman Louis A. Petrosino, aged 86, died peacefully at home Saturday morning following a long illness. Louis was born in Amsterdam on February 25, 1919. He was a lifelong native son, who graduated from Wilber H. Lynch High School. Born to a large family of 15, Louis was employed at Gambardella?s Food Market, at eleven years old, as a means of supporting his family. He worked there for almost 20 years, where his love of the supermarket business grew. Upon the closing of that store he decided to start his own market and the building of Lou?s Supermarket began. With his wife and business partner, Helen, at his side, they built Lou?s Market, the largest independent grocery store in Amsterdam. They married, started a family and opened Lou?s Market in 1955. In 1979 Louis grew his business with a second location, Mr. Discount Food and Beverage on Route 30, which he managed until 1995 and then sold. He devoted his life and energy to his family, his business, and his deep sense of community. Louis Petrosino served as a Board Member of St. Mary?s Hospital for many years, as a member of the Board of Directors for the former National Commercial Bank and Trust Company in Amsterdam and had received his 50-year pin and lifetime membership in Amsterdam Council 209, Knights of Columbus. Louis was a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Holy Name Societies of many local churches. He was honored as the ?Man of the Year? by Amsterdam?s Columbian Social Club for his endeavors in making Amsterdam a better community. In addition, Louis was given the DeWitt Clinton Award by the NYS Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in recognition of his ability to exemplify the principles of freemasonry, ?friendship, morality and brotherly love.? Louis Petrosino is survived by his wife Helen Brewster Petrosino of Amsterdam who he married on April 8, 1951. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Bill Linda Petrosino of Amsterdam; his daughters, Linda Richard Alexander of Richmond, Virginia and Nancy Terry Lampkin of Gloversville; his loving grandchildren: Victoria, Tiffany, Louis and Maxine Petrosino all of Amsterdam, Kristen Bret Hamil of Port St. Lucie, Florida and Jessica Lampkin of Gloversville; his brother, Daniel Billy Petrosino of Amsterdam and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services are Tuesday at 8:15AM at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 9:15AM at St. Mary?s Roman Catholic Church with Fr. O. Robert DeMartinis celebrant. Interment is in St. Stanislaus? Cemetery. Calling hours are Monday from 5-8PM at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to a scholarship fund being established at Amsterdam High School in care of Nancy Lampkin, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, New York, 12010.