Haverhill: Louis D. Festo, 94 a longtime resident of Haverhill and formerly of Fairfield St., died peacefully, Tuesday evening, October 30, 2018 at Hannah Duston Healthcare Center in Haverhill.
Born in Schenectady, NY, son of the late Peter and Elizabeth (Spenola) Festo, he was raised and educated in Newburyport and Haverhill. Mr. Festo was employed first at Western Electric Co. and also owned and operated his own service station in Ward Hill and later was employed for over fifty years as a meat cutter at Lionel Lavallee Beef Company in Haverhill.
A member of the former Saint George's Parish of Haverhill, where he was active in the Holy Name Society of the Parish, he was presently a member of All Saints Parish, where he served as an usher and collector and member of the Parish Activities Committee. He was devoted to his family and his church and was proud of his Italian heritage. An accomplished cook, Mr. Festo liked nothing more than spending time enjoying a great meal with his family and friends. He was an accomplished builder and woodworker and designed, built and sold doll houses for many lucky young girls and collectors and also enjoyed Big Band music, traveling and camping.
Predeceased by his beloved wife Jacqueline (Grassi) Festo in 2013, he will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by a daughter and son-in-law Elizabeth A. and Daniel B. Brosnan of Haverhill, a daughter Bernadine A. Gearty, of Haverhill, a grand-daughter Dr. Jacqueline A. Brosnan-Cashman, Ph.D and her husband Dr. Christopher Cashman, MD/Ph.D of Newton, MA and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister Mary Cardarelli and a son-in-law Kevin S. Gearty, and was eagerly awaiting the birth of his first great grandchild.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Hannah Duston Healthcare Center and Merrimack Valley Hospice for the extraordinary care given to Mr. Festo during his residence at Hannah Duston .
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Mr. Festo's Life Celebration to be held on Friday, November 2, 2018 from 4 to 8 p.m. at BERUBE-Comeau Funeral Home, 47 Broadway, Haverhill. His funeral will begin on Saturday at 9 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in All Saints Church, Haverhill. Burial will follow in Saint Patrick's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to All Saints Parish, 120 Bellevue Ave., Haverhill, MA. To send a message of condolence to the family, please visit www.berubecomeau.com