Lou Carnazzo, third from left, is pictured with other Serra Club of Honolulu members during a meeting with Bishop Larry Silva at St. Stephen Diocesan Center to discuss vocations. (HCH file photo / 2017)
LOUIS ‘UNCLE LOU’ ‘LUIGI’ ANTHONY CARNAZZO / 1935-2024
By Gina Carnazzo
Special to the Herald
Lou Carnazzo died in Kailua on Nov. 25, 2024. He was born Nov. 16, 1935, in LeMars, Iowa, to devoutly Catholic first-generation Sicilian parents.
A childhood injury left Lou with lifelong physical challenges. One year later, he lost his father. His mother passed on her love of and complete trust in God to her five children. Lou never let life’s challenges hinder his outlook, activities or travels.
He married the love of his life, Mary, and they moved their family from Monterey, California, to Kailua in 1967 where they joined St. Anthony Parish. Lou went into freelance business as a court reporter in Honolulu. He adopted his office employees, guiding them toward God with boundless generosity and prayers covering the office cabinets.
Lou’s “can-do” attitude had him accomplishing more in one day than most do in one week. Though most of his service was to the church and parish community, his generosity and loving spirit extended far beyond: He helped the homeless and complete strangers. When he saw a need, he took action.
One (still-unfinished) project required hours of phone calls, emails and meetings with local businesses requesting construction material donations to repair the family home of a long-time, needful Kailua resident.
Lou and Mary were actively involved in the diocese and especially St. Anthony Parish and School: spaghetti dinner, chili and bingo night chefs; “Passion Play” actors; school fundraiser fair and parish picnic organizers. Lou installed the courtyard drain tank and poured sidewalks along classroom lanais.
Before retiring, Lou lectored at daily Mass at the cathedral. He befriended the Daughters of St. Paul, helping them with repairs at their convent. He joined the Serra Club of Honolulu and the Knights of Columbus.
Music and singing were an important part of Lou’s life: the Hawaiian Folk Choir with George Kamalamalama; cantoring at Masses, leading songs at daily Mass. He took singing lessons — even into his 80s.
Lou added his creative flair to fundraisers (Colonel Sanders of KFC fame, a rooster or fish costume), attracting interest and more donations for his bucket. After back surgeries, he asked parish students to wear the costumes, but he still toted the bucket and (shamelessly) asked for more. No one could say no to him.
A true Sicilian, Lou welcomed everyone into his home. He hosted annual Labor Day picnics and invited everyone he knew. He had an amazing heart of generosity (he regularly bought appliances for people) and forgiveness (he forgave readily and always forgot).
He was happiest when he was cooking and feeding people. He shuttled friends to and from the airport; they nicknamed him “Luber.” He supported various local fishermen, buying extra fillets to share with others. He was often found sawing and hammering in his garage creating gadgets or gifts (always with the door open so that friends could stop by).
Lou loved traveling and experiencing different cultures and foods. Just last year, he made an extended pilgrimage abroad — two weeks in the Holy Land and then eight months in Europe, visiting churches, cathedrals and Marian visitation sites.
He inspired countless people who were amazed at his energy and strong faith. Everywhere he went, he made friends with the people he encountered, from priests and sacristans to fellow pilgrims, from taxi drivers to railroad workers, to other travelers in hostels.
In the last decade, Lou constructed “Pray to end abortion” signs for his front yard. He invited and willingly engaged in discussion with anyone who knocked on the front door. He prayed for those people who loudly cursed at the signs, at the house, and even at him. And one day, he discovered that his bold evangelization had saved at least one child’s life because “the signs made (the child’s mother) think.”
Lou is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years. He is survived by sister Paula, children Damian (Dana), Lisa Ajanel (Walter) and Gina, and five grandchildren. He lives on in all of us because he taught us how to live: Even during his last hours on earth, he was a beautiful and faithful servant of God who generously shared Christ’s love with everyone he encountered.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Lou’s memory may be made to the Pearson Place Pregnancy Resource Center (https://pearsonplace.org).
