Louis “Lou” Scarpa of Windham, NH, died peacefully and in the presence of family at Massachusetts General Hospital on November 28, 2017. He was 89 years old. 

Lou will be forever remembered by his devoted wife of 44 years, Donna; their daughter Jodi (John) Robinson of Dover, MA; and his five children from his former marriage, Robert Scarpa of Lakewood, CO, Jane (Glenn) Santini of Woburn, MA, Maria (Ric) Caruso of Wakefield, MA, William Scarpa of Littleton, MA, and Beth (Bill) Huber of Glenview, IL. He was the loving grandfather of 13 grandchildren, Ava, Locke, Jill, Michael, Lesley, Lindsay, Rugo, Krista, Caroline, Candice, Carlo, Will, and Danny. He was the great-grandfather of 10 wonderful great-grandchildren and counting. Several nephews, nieces, and friends complete the picture, as family was everything to him. He is preceded in death by his sisters and their husbands, Mary (Carmine) Guida of Stoneham, MA; and Jessie (Jack) Lyons of Tewksbury, MA.     

Lou was born Luigi Salvatore Scarpa on August 5, 1928, in East Boston, MA, to Catherine (Follo) and Rosario Scarpa. He attended MIT night school to earn his degree in mechanical engineering, which would propel him to a 37-year career at Raytheon, where he worked from 1955-1992, on the Patriot missile and other confidential defense projects. He lived for many years in Stoneham, MA, where 5 of his children were raised. He had several side jobs and work interludes over his career, including owning and running the former seaside Rockaway Hotel in East Gloucester, MA, where he first met Donna in 1972. They married and ultimately settled in Salem, NH, where they lived for 25 years before moving to Windham. They enjoyed traveling, especially to New Smyrna Beach, FL, where they had a vacation home for many years. 

Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Sunday, December 10, from 2 PM to 4 PM at the Goundrey & Dewhirst Funeral Home, 42 Main St., Salem, NH. Immediately following the calling hours will be a funeral service held at the funeral home, open to all. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org). To leave an online condolence, please visit www.goundreydewhirstfuneral.com

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