Louis Kremer, 86, Father of Darien Resident

The following obituary for the father of Darien resident Elyse Spalding appeared on the website of the O'Neil-Hayes Funeral Home, in Newport, RI:

Louis “Lou” Barry Kremer, 86, of Newport RI, born in Brooklyn, NY, November 2, 1926, an athlete, avid skier, amateur lawyer and most importantly father and a friend died in his home Wednesday, October 23. Renée (Binder) Kremer his wife of 62 years and family were by his side.

Lou was a standout athlete at West Orange High School in New Jersey where he graduated in 1943. He attended Admiral Farragut Academy in 1944 before graduating from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point in 1946 and serving in the Pacific Theater at end of World War II. Lou then graduated from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in 1949. Lou's professional career spanned more than five decades serving as an executive and consultant for numerous lighting manufacturing companies until 2000.

Lou has been a resident of Newport for 36 years. He was a charismatic leader wherever he was. He was the Treasurer of Ida Lewis Yacht Club and campaign manager for Newport Mayor Richard Sardella. Prior to living in Newport, Lou lived in Little Silver and Rumson, New Jersey.

A consummate athlete, Lou ran his last marathon at 62 and his last triathlon at 65. When his snowbird friends fled to Florida for the winter, Lou and Renee spent their winter months in Squaw Valley, skiing daily and enjoying the California sun. He skied until age 84. In 2013 he was inducted into the West Orange High School Athletic Hall of Fame for a high school football career that included three 80-yard touchdown runs in a six game season.

Lou’s final days were lived in keeping with his personality and according to his wishes. He danced at a granddaughter’s wedding, accepted his Hall of Fame induction, then after a brief illness he slipped away quietly, resting comfortably, surrounded by family and telling jokes.

Lou will be missed by many. Surviving family members include Renee, his sister Paula (Kremer) Arkin of Scottsdale, AZ, his children, Arden Kremer and husband Phil Coturri of Sonoma, CA, Elyse (Kremer) and husband Michael Spalding of Darien CT, Bruce and wife Susan (Hamilton) Kremer of Stow, MA, and grandchildren Sam, Avery, Max, Bailey, Lacey, Lulu and Tess.

A celebration of Louis' life will be held on November 23, 2013, 11:30 a.m. at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI and later this winter at PlumpJack Squaw eValley Inn in Olympic Valley, CA. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the West Orange Athletic Hall of Fame c/o WOHS, 51 Conforti Ave., West Orange, NJ, 07052 or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, Inc. at http://www.usmmaaf.com/donation or 14 Bond St. #1000, Great Neck, NY 11021. Arrangements are by the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring Street, Newport, RI. For more information and online condolences, please visit www.onhfh.com.