Obituaries

In Memoriam: Red Bank Resident Lou Maresca, 96

“When through one man a little more love and goodness, a little more light and truth comes into the world then that life has had great meaning.” ~ A close friend of Lou’s, Fr. Charles Hudson, at his 60th birthday.

Red Bank resident Louis J. Maresca passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, Jan. 17, after suffering from dementia for the last five years. He was 96.

Lou Marescsa
Photo/family via John E. Day Funeral Home

“Lou lived a life of great meaning to all who had the privilege to know him. Louis was known affectionately as BIG Lou for his larger-than-life personality and his huge heart.Despite his many accomplishments and accolades, his measure of success never stemmed from his resume. His crowning achievement was always his family. The legacy of love he created will last
long after the sad farewells.”

Loved ones of Lou Maresca in his obituary

Born and raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Lou graduated from Regis High School. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy, and earned a law degree from Brooklyn Law School after attending St. Lawrence College. 

Lou lived in Westfield before moving to Scotch Plains. He and his wife moved to Red Bank to be closer to family.

After retiring from a successful law career in Brooklyn, he volunteered for the Center for Hope Hospice, the first hospice in New Jersey, and was one of its founding families.

Lou is survived by: the love of his life, his wife of 68 years, Theresa; seven children, Mary Frances Horowitz (Mark), Robert Maresca (Donna), Gene Maresca (Karen), Joan Butman (Bob), Thomas Maresca, Mary Grace Zetkulic (Tom) and Terrianne Meier (Steve); 15 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. 

Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22, at John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. Lou’s funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Helen’s R.C. Church, 1600 Rahway Ave., Westfield, on Monday, Jan. 23 at 11:30. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Center for Hope Hospice, 1900 Raritan Rd., Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 (www.cfhh.org).

— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home