Obituary for Louis Vincent Pugliese

Louis Vincent “Lou” Pugliese, 88, of Vandergrift, formerly of Alexandria, VA, passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at QLS- West Haven Manor, Washington Township.

Born August 19, 1929 in Vandergrift, he was a son of the late James Vincenzo & Mary (Bennardo) Pugliese.

Lou grew up in the Vandergrift area, and was a member of St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Church. He was a 1947 graduate of Vandergrift High School, and 1951 graduate of St. Vincent College. Lou also attended Georgetown Law School, as well as various graduate schools for teaching. Lou lived in Alexandria, VA from 1959 until he moved back to the Vandergrift area in 2016.

He proudly served our country with the United States Navy, and worked as a civilian at the Pentagon. Lou began his career as an 8th grade science teacher in 1966 and retired from Fairfax County Schools in 1988. While teaching, he also worked part-time for Fairfax County Libraries, and later part-time for the Fairfax County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Lou enjoyed bowling, watching sports (especially football- Redskins and Steelers were his favorites), traveling and visiting casinos. He also served as a volunteer, calling Bingo at the Greenspring Retirement Village, Springfield, VA.

In addition to his parents, Lou was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn (Kearns) Pugliese, who passed away on October 20, 1989; brother, Gabriel Pugliese; and sisters, Rose & Victoria Pugliese, Mary Ranalli, Ralphaline Marchesi.

He is survived by his children, Cathy & Kenneth Smolinske of Hudson, WI, Lou & Kathy Pugliese of Staunton, VA, Jim & Debby Pugliese of Vandergrift, Bea & Jon Knudsen of Winchester, VA; and Lou was blessed with grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

Friends will be received in St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Church, Vandergrift, on Monday, January 15, 2018 from 10:30 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. with Father John Euker as celebrant. Military honors will be accorded by the Vandergrift Veterans Honor Guard at the conclusion of the Mass. Private interment in Ivy Hill Cemetery, Alexandria, VA, will take place at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brady-Curran Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Vandergrift, PA. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Memorial Contributions be made to a charity of one’s choice in Lou’s memory.