Louis J. Casamayou

Turin- Louis Casamayou, 67, of Swackhammer Road, died peacefully on February 19, 2013 while under the care of Lewis County Hospice, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born to Catherine and Lucien Casamayou on December 24th 1945 in Watsonville, California, his passion for bicycling began as a young lad when he delivered newspapers for a local company, where his beloved Aunt Virginia was an editor. Lou excelled in academics and achieved scholarships that paid his way through his degree at University of San Francisco where he majored in Chemistry. He began is cycle racing career here, with plenty of challenges riding the hills around San Francisco. Lou graduated at USF in 1966 and went to Graduate School to study Chemistry. He joined the Air Force shortly thereafter with the advent of the Vietnam War. On receiving his pilot wings, he was stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome N.Y. where he quickly fell in love with the wonderful cycling opportunities and met the love of his life Maureen - on a bicycle. After a whirlwind courtship on their bicycles, they were married in Rome at the Griffiss Air Force Base Chapel on August 12th 1972. After 25 years in the Air Force where he achieved expertise in electronic communications, a Master's Degree in Command Control and Communications from Monterey Naval Post Graduate School, he retired as a full Colonel in 1994. Placing his full energies into bicycling, Lou and Maureen completed a bicycle trip across the United States lasting 80 days and covering 5, 482 miles. The Casamayou's bicycled from the Oregon Coast to Yorktown, Virginia, and then on to their front door in Oaktown, Virginia. Lou spent another 17 years working for CACI in North Virginia, returning to Turin with Maureen to make a home in their retirement where their love first blossomed. Here he happily indulged in his outdoor pursuits of skiing, cycling and enjoying the slower pace of life within a nurturing and welcoming community. Lou leaves behind his lifelong soul mate Maureen, an extended family across America and the United Kingdom, and many true friends. His absence will be felt deeply by all those who came into contact with him, as he was unfailingly kind, caring, courteous, and generous, with a sharp wit and intellect. A Eucharist will be offered at Trinity Episcopal Church, Boonville on Saturday, March 2nd. However, Maureen is planning a celebration of Lou's life later in the spring when the crocus's are in bloom, date, time and place to be announced. All who wish to remember this wonderful man are invited to share their memories with Maureen on this special day. Memorial donations may be made to Lewis County Hospice, P.O. Box #266, Lowville, New York 13367, or to the Lewis County Humane Society. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. For an online message of sympathy, please go to www.trainorfuneralhome.com.