Louis E. Calogero

Louis Calogero, 84, of La Crosse died May 15, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loved ones. Lou was born March 27, 1932 in Philadelphia, PA to Frank and Julia (Mancini) Calogero. He married Ruth McKilipp in 1952 and they later divorced. He was educated both scholastically and musically in the Philadelphia public school system, as as a sports scholarship recipient at Washington Academy, Ft. Washington, PA. He began playing drums at at 10 and soon was studying with the most successful jazz, classical and show drummers as well as at the Wurlitzer studios in Philly. He played in the Germantown, PA High School orchestra and jazz band, and in many “school-boy” bands. One of own sextets at the the time included Billy Root, Vinnie Tano, and Bill Bean, who collectively went on to play in later years with the bands of Stan Kenton, Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman and others. His first professional gig came at the age of 15, and was soon after playing full time summer jobs at Pennsylvania mountain resorts with the quartet, The Continentals. With two years out for military service, this group toured the country for 6 years, appearing with such names as Sammy Davis, Billy Eckstein, Bob Crosby, Nat Cole and many others. Lou’s military service, from 1953 to 1955 continued his music career with service at the US Army band school, Fort Knox Kentucky, with Julian (Cannonball) Adderly and at Fort Benning, GA in the prestigious Infantry Center Band. There was much musical after-hours work at the base, enlisted and officer clubs, and at clubs in Columbus, Georgia, and Phoenix City, Alabama.

After military service, the birth of his first daughter, Elaine and another 18 months of touring, he decided to make La Crosse his home and in 1957 began a 37 year career with the Weights and Measures Section of the Wisconsin Department of Ag, Trade, and Consumer Protection. After serving 5 years at Fond du Lac, he was transferred back to La Crosse. During his career he served as a field agent covering most of southwest Wisconsin, from Grand County to Eau Claire County. Additionally he was at various times a special projects officer, coordinating programs with the Food and Drug Administration, Federal Trade Commission, US Department of Agriculture, etc. During the latter part of his career he spent considerable time at the central office at Madison assisting in a re-organization project and coordinating the work of the field staff on special projects. He retired in January, 1998.

He always maintained his interest in Jazz, playing with the area’s most popular groups. For many years with the Bob Hirsch bands, Al Townsend Wonderful World Jazz Band, Bob Knutzen All Stars, Joanne Funk Trio; and for a while leading his own band, The Muddy River Band. For over 25 years starting in 1984, he was the featured drummer with Dick Chafees Stardust Big Band, appearing at well over 100 dates at the La Crosse Jazz Fest, Riverfest, and Oktoberfest including many fest parades. He also appeared locally, and occasionally toured with the Jim Beebes Chicago Jazz, and the Celebration Road Show.

In the 1980’s he was a founding member of the La Crosse Area Jazz Society, serving for many years as a board member, vice president, festival facilities manager, and also developed the LAJS concert series.

No matter what else was going on he never lost his interest in the out-of-doors, particularly fishing. He has fished for just about any species found in or around the USA, from salmon on the Rogue River of Oregon, to redfish, grouper, and snook, in the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pine Island Sound of Sanibel, Florida. From the trout in streams of the Coulee Region and sand counties of central Wisconsin, to the salmon and lake trout of Lake Michigan and Green Bay. From walleye in Lake Winnebago and the Wolf River to every type of fish lucky enough to live in the MIssissippi River; even landing a 5 foot long sturgeon below the Dresbach Dam years ago.

He was also an avid biker, and even after some serious heart difficulties, it was not unusual for a 60 mile round trip to Trempealeau on the old railroad beds.

Everything in nature was a wonder to him, from the smallest moss in the woods to the giant Redwoods of the Pacific coast. From the tiny brook trout in a little riffle to the hulking manatees of coastal Florida. The one ounce hummingbirds at the back yard feeder to the huge White Pelicans at the “Ding” Daring refuge and the soaring eagles over Riverside Park. In later years, and due to his interest in nature, he took up wood carving, specializing in sea creatures and working by hand and only minimal power tools with native hardwoods, he turned out scores of porpoise, sharks, sailfish, whales, manatees, alligators, starfish; almost all given away to friends and family.

With luxury of retirement time he renewed his interest in American and world history, and in
American authors, reading everything ever written by Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe, Steinbeck, etc. Recently he had completed biographies or autobiographies of Ben Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, Jefferson, both Roosevelts, Stonewall Jackson, and still more. Time well spent.

In 1981 he married his wonderful soul mate Cindy (Dally) and thereafter lived the happiest and most fulfilling life imaginable. He is survived by Cindy; two wonderful daughters, Elaine Marcou, Christine (Craig Lovelace) Calogero-Lovelace, Stoddard, Wisconsin, four grandchildren, Nick (Kellie) Marcou, La Crosse; Jacqueline Marcou (Joe Doperalski), Michael Marcou (Mike Adank) New York City; Joe Marcou, La Crosse. Four great grandchildren: Adeline Marcou-Smart, Elouise Marcou-Doperalski, and twins Griffin and Sam Marcou. Brother Frank, Philadelphia; sister Elena (Dr. Charles) Giannasio, Philadelphia, sister Kathy Giroud, Seattle, WA.

There will be no formal ceremony at this time. A celebration of life and laugh-a-thon is planned for a later time. The Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be used in Lou’s memory.