Louis S. Garidel

Louis S. Garidel Jr.
June 3, 1925 – September 20, 2019
Resident of Pittsburg

Fortified by the Sacraments of Holy Mother the Church Louis S. Garidel Jr. (Lou) went to meet his god on September 20, 2019. Lou was born in New Orleans, LA to Louis S. Garidel Sr. and Ida V. Vega on June 3, 1925. He was the middle child of nine siblings. Dudley, Beverly (twins), Marie, Lois, Lou, Ida Mae, Conrad, Delores and Loretta. Always an active and energetic child he enjoyed the outdoors most of all. He graduated from St. Rose of Lima elementary school in New Orleans on June 2, 1939. Shortly after his graduation from high school, he entered the United States Navy June 1, 1943, to serve his country in World War II. Louis was honorably discharged from the Navy as a Parachute Rigger Third Class in Bremerton, WA on May 1, 1946.

Lou’s interest in golf was more than casual. It was a passion. He started playing golf weekly at Lone Tree in Antioch in 1957. Several of his sons ball hawked for him over the years. He was a member of the Antioch Men’s Club, then the Antioch Seniors Golf club. He won his flight several times and he had a hole in one on the 11th hole three times at Lone Tree. Lou played until late 2016 and was referred to as Uncle Lou by some of the members.

Lou also helped start the Chet Sappington Golf Tournament, held each year since Chet’s death in 1979. He won this tournament five times over the years.

On September 12, 1945, Lou married Mary Forbes in Oakland, CA. Together they had seven interesting, rambunctious children: Ronald (Camille), Barbara (Gary), Louis R., Dennis, Susan (Alan), James (Rachel) Gerald (Lia). Always interested in fishing and sports, he gladly introduced his children to the great outdoors. He often took his children fishing, on numerous outings and actively engaged in coaching his sons and the sons of many others in Little League and later Pony League. In fact, his involvement in these activities lasted from 1950’s through the early 1990’s. all the while, Lou was an avid golfer.

Lou worked at International Harvester and Mack Truck ending his career as the head of Quality Control in the Engineering department. However, this was not the end of his work life. After retirement, he took a job supervising the maintenance of a commercial building in Walnut Creek, CA. He finally retired from working for compensation at the age of eighty-one.

Lou’s first wife, Mary died on July 20, 1995. On July 5, 2003, Louis married Pat O’Donovan at Queen of All Saints Church in Concord. He belonged to the Holy Names Society when it was a vibrant, active force for good in the Parish. Lou was always interested in community outreach and he found this Catholic Benevolent Society a marvelous outlet for his generous desires.

Lou was an usher a Queen of all Saints Church from the early 1950’s through 2016.

Always intimately involved in volunteer work and assisting the poor, he jumped at the chance to be a member of the Knights of Columbus when the opportunity presented itself. The Knights of Columbus strongly appealed to his sense of service to the larger community. It goes without saying Lou had an enduring commitment to his Church. He was proud of being Catholic. He deeply loved his family and community.

One of the happiest events of his later life was his ability to participate in the Honor Flight. Dennis was his guardian and the two relished both the time together and the wonderful experiences of the trip.

Lou was predeceased by his parents and all his siblings with the sole exception of his sister, Delores. He is survived by his wife Pat, sister Delores Guarino, all his children and grandchildren, except his grandson Christopher Morford.

Special thanks to Chaplain James Crabtree and to Bridge Hospice who served Louis faithfully during his last months. Stephanie Hammon was his consistent and loving case manager. Thank, too, to the good friends who visited him during his illness. He dearly loved those visits.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00PM with a Vigil/Rosary Service at 7:00PM, Thursday, September 26, 2019 at Ouimet Bros. Concord Funeral Chapel, 4125 Clayton Road, Concord. The Funeral Liturgy/Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00AM, Friday, September 27, 2019 at Queen of All Saint Church, 2390 Grant Street, Concord. Luncheon in the Parish Hall will follow the burial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Lafayette.

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