Louie A Cerqui

Obituary Louie Angelo Cerqui April 6, 1938 - February 28, 2016   Louie passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on February 28, 2016, after succumbing to a courageous battle with Parkinson's. He was 77 and will be greatly missed by all. Born in Tacoma April 6, 1938 to Edith and Angelo Cerqui, Louie grew up in the Firwood area of what is now the city of Fife. Louie attended Firwood School until completing the 8th grade after which he transferred to Fife schools and graduated in 1956. In high school Louie was known as "Sherriff Tex" as he would perform at pep assemblies and school functions as the local King 5 personality. Growing up the son of a farmer and in a farm family as well, he worked on his Uncle John Boitano's vegetable farm until 1957 when he went to work for a year at WSU Research and Extension center in Puyallup, WA. In 1958 Louie went to work for Tradewell Stores, Inc. where he became a produce manager. In 1961 he was drafted into the US Army 25th Infantry Division and proudly served his country for two years. His basic training was at Fort Ord, California and much of the remainder of his service was spent in Munich, Germany. After his honorable discharge from the army in 1963 Louie returned to Tradewell. In 1965 he met and married the love of his life, his wife of over 50 years, Lucy. They settled in the Fife area and bought some acreage of their own just down from where he had grown up and started farming on his own as well as working for Tradewell. Working two jobs, in 1973 the couple celebrated the birth of their son, Robert. Louie retired from the store in 1987 to focus solely on the farm. He enjoyed farming and continued to do so until he was no longer able, due to health reasons. Along with farming Louie served on the board and was a past President of Washington Rhubarb Growers Association. In his spare time, Louie loved to hunt pheasant and duck and watch baseball. Especially the Mariners! Louie loved country music and even travelled to Nashville to visit the Grand Ole Opry twice. Louie also loved to collect tractors including his favorite a D-2 Caterpillar. Louie was also very proud of his Italian ancestry and heritage and stayed in touch with relatives in Italy even traveling there several times. Louie was preceded in death by his mother and father Edith and Angelo Cerqui and an older brother John. He is survived by his wife of over 50 years Lucy; and son, Rob. He is also survived by a niece, Michele (Jeff); nephew, John (Dawn); and as well as many cousins. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Martin of Tours Catholic church in Fife on Saturday, March 12th at 1:00pm with a Rosary preceding at 12:30pm and a reception following the Mass in the parish hall. A viewing will be held at Gaffney Funeral Home on Friday, March 11th from 3-5pm. Interment at Calvary Cemetery in Tacoma. Flowers can be most graciously sent to the church, or a donation in lieu of, can be sent to the Michaeljfox.org Parkinson's Foundation. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.