USMC Korean War veteran, Pop Warner organizer, marching band director

Published October 17, 2019

BEVERLY — Col. Louis Datillo, USMC Retired, 87, of Beverly and formerly of North Reading, died Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at the Masconomet Healthcare Center in Topsfield. He was the beloved husband of 62 years to the late Laura M. (Turcotte) Datillo.

Born in Beverly on July 8, 1932, he was the son of the late Kenneth “Red” and Mary Datillo. Lou was raised and attended school in Beverly and was a graduate of Beverly High School, Class of 1950, and a graduate of Boston University, Class of 1954.

He was a proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War. He served from 1954 to 1978 and achieved the rank of Colonel. He later worked in the private sector at Liberty Mutual and John Hancock Insurance Companies.

Lou was a former resident of North Reading for 47 years. He was active in many organizations in town. He was one of the original organizers of North Reading Pop Warner Football. He was the Director of the North Reading High School Marching Band and coached for many years with the North Reading Men’s Softball League. He was the Director of the North Reading Recreation Committee and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Lou was the Commander of the Vittori-Rocci Post No. 56 in Beverly for several years. He was the Commanding Officer for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Amphibious Unit in Lawrence in the 1970s.

Family members include his daughter, Desneige M. Datillo of North Reading; his sons, Peter K. Datillo and his wife Katey of East Kingston, N.H. and Matthew A. Datillo of Winthrop; his grandchildren, Isabella Grace Datillo, Alexander Louis Datillo and Nicholas Donald Datillo of East Kingston, N.H. He was the father of the late Jeanne and Louis, Jr. Datillo and brother of the late Josephine Datillo.

His funeral will be held on Saturday, October 19 at 9:45 a.m. from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading, followed by an 11 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St. (Rte. 62), North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Friday, October 18 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.croswellfuneralhome.com.