Louis Ghiringhelli

Louis (Louie) Ghiringhelli passed away on August 3, 2018 in Traverse City, MI where he has lived since February 2017. Prior to this, Louie was a lifelong resident of Negaunee.

Louie was born on September 23, 1921 to Casper and Louise Ghiringhelli. After graduating from St. Paul’s high school, Louie started work for Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company as an underground miner. His work at Cleveland Cliffs was interrupted when he entered the Army during WWII and served in several battles in the Pacific. Upon discharge from the Army he returned to work at CCI. In 1963, he went to Northern Michigan University to be trained as a welder and from that time until he retired from CCI, he worked in the general shops. Louie was known for the quantity and quality of his workmanship. He was always a hard worker. In fact, in 1955 he built the house that he and his wife of 70 years, Fural, live in for over 60 years.

Louie loved to hunt partridge and trout fish. He and Fural spent many hours in the woods together hunting birds and fishing local streams. A noon picnic was always part of their day hunting or fishing. He loved sports and rarely missed a Negaunee High School basketball or football game. When he was a young man he was an excellent basketball and baseball player. An avid Packers and Tigers fan, he rarely missed a game. Louie’s other passion was playing cards. When he was in the service during WWII, he won enough money playing poker to buy a new car when he was discharged. He loved to play pinochle and cribbage, especially if he was winning! He and Fural played cribbage every day until he had a stroke in 2016 after which he was unable to do so.

Louie was kind of a quiet guy except when talking politics with his son-in-law. He was always willing to lend a hand to a neighbor since he had many talents to offer.

Together he and Fural raised a son, Louis Peter (Nancy) and daughter Kathy (Marvin) Stone. He always wanted the best for his family and truly enjoyed their time together. In his later years he got much delight in seeing his two grandchildren, Sarah Niederprueum (Sean) and Josh (Lindsey), and three great-grandchildren, Chloe, Sidney, and Brady.

Louie was a member of VFW Post 3165, the Knights of Columbus and St. Paul’s Catholic Church.

In addition to his immediate family, Louie is survived by sisters, Teresa Toigo, Rita Perrault (Ray Dobson), brother Emil, and several nieces and nephews.

Louie was an independent person but as he got older, he needed help on occasion. Special thanks to several neighbors that provided assistance, especially Ed Gagnon, Bo and Mary Prusi, Frank Paris and the late Mike Van Stratten. A special thank you to Rita and Ray for their loving, diligent care for Louie while he was a resident at Eastwood and to cousin Rita for the many fine meals she prepared.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, hug someone that is special to you. Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to sign the guestbook and share your thoughts and memories with the family. Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City. 231.941.9034