After a brave four year battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Lou passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 16, 2022. He was 68 years old.
Lou was his family’s rock and led by quiet example in all areas of his life. He touched countless lives with his generosity and an ever present desire to be of service to others.
Lou loved the simple things in life: cream donuts, fish sticks, cream soda, trips down the shore, reading the newspaper from cover to cover. His quirky sense of humor made him a fan of The Three Stooges, “professional” wrestling and a good Dad joke.
Lou was an active member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Maple Glen, PA. The Men’s Breakfast club enjoyed his culinary skills as well as his willingness to roll up his sleeves for clean-up duty. For many years, Lou was the Bingo Caller Extraordinaire.
His deep and abiding faith helped him find “a calling” after being diagnosed with ALS and placed on a ventilator. In his four years as a patient at Fox Subacute, Lou became the unofficial hospitality committee. He encouraged residents to join in community activities and cheered them on in the rehab gym. For those who were unable to leave their room, Lou would visit with scripture reading, uplifting stories, or playing a round of dominos. Lou served as president of the Residence Counsel and also on the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement committee (QUAPI) up until about 6 months ago.
Lou graduated from East Stroudsburg University and spent his entire career in the printing industry, primarily as an estimator, including almost 30 years at Quad Graphics. His work ethic was legendary.
Born in Philadelphia, he was the eldest child of the late Louis C. and Marie (Lafferty) Waters. Lou was also the stepson of the late Rosemary (Gillies) Waters.
Lou is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mary (Lipman) Waters and daughter Elizabeth “Liz” Waters, of Oreland, PA, his “bonus” children, Jana Shea (Bas Slabbers) of Phila., PA and James J. Shea IV, of Princess Anne, MD, and his most treasured grandson, Zane Slabbers.
He is also survived by siblings Marianne Waters, Michael Waters and Regina Waters, step-siblings Charles Gillies (Nalota), Steven Gillies (Yvette), Eileen (Gillies) Calabro and Donna (Gillies) Topham.
Uncle to David Outland, Richard “Rick” Outland and Kathryn “Katie” Snyder , Jansen and Cayley Grabowski, Estelita and Angela Waters, Kirsten and Shannon Calabro, James “Jimmy” Gillies, and Jennifer Walsh, their spouses and their children.
A celebration of Lou’s life will be held on his birthday, January 25th, 2023
The family will receive visitors from 10-11 AM, at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 919 Tennis Ave, Maple Glen, PA , followed by a funeral Mass and Interment in the church’s memorial garden.
In lieu of flowers, Lou has requested donations be made to the following organizations that have touched his life in many ways:
ALS Association – The Greater Philadelphia Chapter, Ambler, PA
Team Gleason Foundation, New Orleans, LA
We thank the caring staff at Fox Subacute Clara Burke, Plymouth Meeting, PA (Now Montgomery Subacute and Respiratory Center), Dr. Terry Heiman-Patterson and her team at the ALS Hope Foundation; Anne Cooney and Gail Houseman at the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the ALS Foundation; Team Gleason and their program to improve life for people living with ALS by delivering innovative technology and equipment. We wish to acknowledge the many PALS (Patients with ALS) and CALS (Caregivers of patients with ALS) as they continue to fight this horrific disease with courage, strength, humor and most of all, faith. Their stories have touched our lives, have inspired us and encouraged us. Lou and his family salute each of them and pray there will be a cure and an end to this disease.
Sending my condolences to the Waters Family. Lou was a former manager of mine, until the internet came about it was hard to find others out in the world. Wanted to thank Lou for giving me a chance fresh out of college at a new administrative career, professional position-Lou gave me that chance. I always had respect for him, as a manager, person, a good human. My thoughts.
Thank you for your kind words about my dad.