The Observation Deck

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One day I got a call from Ken Warren, "Hey I have a good writer and good Lakewoodite, I'm sending him down to talk with you. The Red Cuban will be there in ten minutes."

I thought the Red Cuban! Hmmm. When Luis Gutierrez walked through the door he had a smile from ear to ear, and we sat and talked for over an hour. He was excited because as he said, "I have hundreds of stories ready to go, this will be great for those with stories like me in the city." He mentioned he was in remission from cancer, and had been given a new lease on life.

He was one of the Observer's first writers. Within months he was told the cancer was back, but he never let it slow him down. While going through Chemo, I would see him walking the streets, trying to rebuild energy. When he was strong enough he would write, but that was less and less as the year went on. Still one of my favorite Lakewoodites to run into.

Recently I would see him tired at one end of the city or another, looking tired. Would get him in the car and give him a ride home, as we talked. He was one of those captivating people, that was always engaging. We would sit in front of his house sometimes for an hour talking.

His loves were his family, jazz, writing, the Library and Lakewood.

Luis, you will be missed, you were loved by so many.

Our thoughts go out to his family.

peace

Jim--- Thanks for telling us the sad news. I had the very distinct and pleasurable experience of spending some time with Luis up at Bella.

I hope his family will realize that he added so much to our community and I hope his memories will likewise, add to theirs.

Stan

For several Luis served as supervisor at Madison Branch Library. Like me, Lou shared roots to Long Island. Lou felt immense gratitude for Lakewood, the people, streets, the community. We would often speak about the huge leap forward in the quality of our lives enjoyed here. Lou passed away at home peacefully Wednesday morning. Teresa Andreani reminds us "appropriately enough it was All Saints Day!"

Visitation will be at McGorray's in Lakewood on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a wake service at the funeral home at 5:30 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Malachi Church with a lunch gathering to follow in the church hall. The Fox Gutierrez Family Trust will be established at First Federal of Lakewood (on Thursday) for anyone who wishes to contribute.

Kenneth Warren

I am so sorry to hear this sad news. We have truly lost a person of substance.

I had the pleasure of knowing Luis from the Family Room, our sons are about the same age. We talked about music (our shared love of discovering new music) and he listened to me prattle on about U2.....

so this is for you Luis....

Something, is about to give
I can feel it comming
I think I know what it is
I'm not afraid to die
I'm not afraid to live

And when I'm flat on my back
I hope to feel like I did....

I know that this is not goodbye....

"Kite" by U2