Dr. Louis Thomas DeFurio, 93, affectionately known to all as “Doc”, passed away suddenly and peacefully on Monday, February 3, 2014. He was born on November 21, 1920, in Syracuse, NY, son of the late Pasquale and Maria (nee: DeBase) DeFurio.
Louis was united in marriage to the love of his life, Hilda “Tootie” (nee: Jaeger) DeFurio, on October 21, 1944, at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois.
Doc graduated from Syracuse Central High School in 1939. He then attended the University of Alabama for his pre-dental school studies graduating in 1941 and received his D.D.S. from Marquette University in 1944. Following graduation from dental school, Doc honorably and faithfully served his country in the United States Navy during WWII. He was a member of the American Dental Association, Wisconsin Dental Association, and the Racine County Dental Association. Doc practiced dentistry for 55 years in private practice.
Doc was known for his jovial sense of humor. He loved to bowl and golf in his free time. Doc was also known to kick up his heels on the dance floor. In his earlier days, you would find Doc on his boat, “Daddy O”, nearly every summer weekend at Brown’s Lake. The last 25 years, he loved to spend his winters in paradise, Marco Island, FL. He was also a member of the Roma Lodge. Doc was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and possessed season tickets for the last 45 years. Doc even attended a Packers Fantasy Camp when he was 70 years old. Above all, he treasured his family and adored all of his grandchildren. Grandpa Doc will be dearly missed.
Doc leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of almost 70 years, Tootie DeFurio of Racine; children, Dr. Richard (Diane) DeFurio of Racine, Patricia McFarlane of Arizona, Kathleen (Jim) Lopas of Florida; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends too numerous to mention.
In addition to his parents, Doc is preceded in death by his siblings, Margaret DePaull, Dr. Frank DeFurio, James DeFurio, Jack DeFurio, Dr. Anthony DeFurio, William DeFurio, Thomas DeFurio, and Carl DeFurio.
A celebration of Doc’s life will take place on Monday, February 10, 2014, 11:00am, at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory, 4600 County Line Road, with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday, February 9, 4:00pm until 6:00pm at the funeral home. The Roma Lodge service will take place at 6:00pm. Entombment with full military honors will follow services on Monday at West Lawn Memorial Park. The family has suggested memorials to the American Heart Association or Disabled American Veterans.
Jim De Furio says
Kathy’s phone message that my uncle has passed away was just received.
I remember my Dad and I visiting my Uncle Louie and Aunt Tootie some years ago in Marco Island, Florida. He was welcoming and jovial that day; as I always remembered him. I’ll never forget my uncle’s heartwarming smile. Please accept my sincerest sympathies.