Obituary of Louis J. DePaul

Louis J. DePaul May 12, 1927 - June 07, 2011 Louis J. DePaul After a courageous battle, Louis J. DePaul passed away Tuesday evening at the age of 84. Lou was born and lived in Danbury, Connecticut. He was the son of the late Charles DePaul and Jennie (Stavola) DePaul. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Jean (Fanning) DePaul. He is also survived by his son Guy DePaul and his wife Janet; his son Mark DePaul and his fiancé Grace Alcaide; and his granddaughters, Shannon and Carly DePaul, his pride and joy; his sister, Dolores Fairchild Luisi; his nephew, Charles Fairchild; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his mother and father he was predeceased by his sister, Evelyn Hannon. Lou was a graduate of Danbury High School. He served in the U.S. Navy and was a veteran of World War II. After returning from the war he graduated from the University of Bridgeport with a degree in Psychology and from Danbury Teacher's College (now Western Connecticut State University) with an MS in Education. He also received a Professional Certificate in Cooperative Education from Central Connecticut State University and Northeastern University. Lou was an educator and proud of it. He started his life's work in the Litchfield Public Schools in 1956. The next year, 1957, he joined the Newtown Public School system and remained there until his retirement in 1991. In addition to his classroom duties, in his first 10 years in Newtown he coached the varsity basketball team and also initiated the high school's first varsity golf team, winning the WCC Championship in his last year as the team's coach. In 1967, Lou became the first Coordinator/Director of Newtown High School's Cooperative Work Education Program, a position that changed his life as well as many others. It was his life's true calling and mission. In 1984, he was cited by the Connecticut State Advisory Council for Vocational and Career Education for his contribution in the advancement of Vocational-Career Education in Connecticut. In 1987 and 1988 Lou was selected by the State Cooperative Education Coordinators as Coordinator of the year. Upon his retirement, Lou was involved with the Connecticut Retired Teachers Association, serving on its Board of Directors from 1992-2008. In addition to his family and education, Lou enjoyed sports and politics. He was a pitcher who had a great curve and so-so fastball. He was a member of the St. Nick's Gold Medal Team; the U.S. Naval baseball team in Hawaii; and the varsity basketball and baseball teams at Danbury Teacher's College. In his later years, he volunteered his time as a coach for the Danbury Brewster Little League team and the El Dorado Babe Ruth team. In 2002 Lou was honored by and inducted into the Danbury Old Timer's Association. In politics, he was elected as State Representative in 1954 to the Connecticut General Assembly. He was also appointed by the late Danbury Mayor Gino Arconti in 1971 as Chairperson of the Tax Formula Study Committee. He was also active in Democratic politics in the 50s and 70s and recent campaigns. Lou was a member of St. Gregory the Great Church, Top Hat Volunteers and the Catholic War Veterans. He was also a 60 year member of the Amerigo Vespucci Lodge having served in various positions including president. Lou and his wife Jean loved to spend time at the beaches in Rhode Island and Florida, as well as the horse races in Saratoga, New York. His family, immediate and extended, will miss him dearly. Funeral Information A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 13th at 10:00 A.M. at St. Gregory the Great Church, 85 Great Plain Rd, Danbury. Burial will follow in Wooster Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 12th from 3 to 6 P.M. at Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St. Danbury. Donations Information Memorials may be made in Louis's name to the American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St. I-91 Tech Center, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3045 or the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492.