NAUGATUCK — Louis “Lou” N. Grella, 78, passed away on June 22, 2017 with his wife at his side at St. Mary’s Hospital. Born in Waterbury on March 18, 1939, Lou lived most of his life in the Brooklyn section of Waterbury. He was the son of the late Gelemo (Jerry) and Josephine (Santoro) Grella.
Lou attended Barnard Grammar School and Leavenworth High School in Waterbury. After high school, he enlisted in the Army, serving three years with the military police battalion in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, 521st Division.
Lou held the office of the Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th degree #33 and 125th Councils. He also held the positions of grand knight, treasurer, faithful navigator, commander and district deputy on the State Council. Lou devoted 28 years of his life to the Knights of Columbus and he worked very hard to make his Council successful.
Lou drove a tractor-trailer for 42 years with Coil Plus in Waterbury. He was active in St. Francis Church as an usher for many years before serving as a Eucharistic Minister for 15 years.
Lou is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nicoletta “Nettie” (Constantino) Grella; his two daughters, Annette Grella, and Krista (Grella) Hess and her husband, N. Warren “Pete”; his two grandchildren, Carter, (10 years old) and Gianna (8 years old) Harnish; two grand-dogs Beaumont and Capone, as well as several nieces and nephews. Lou is predeceased by his infant son, Stephen L. Grella.
Lou’s family would like to thank the staff at All About You for the wonderful care of Lou. You were a great bunch of caregivers who were always able to get Lou to smile and who never took no for an answer.
A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, June 28 at 10:15 a.m. from the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Naugatuck, 201 Meadow St., to St. Francis Church, 318 Church St., for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at All Saints Cemetery in Waterbury. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, June 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Naugatuck Food Bank, 75 Spring St., Naugatuck or St. Francis Church, 318 Church St., Naugatuck.
For online condolences, to share a photo or a story, visit www.fordfh.com.
