Dr. Luis Antonio Arroyo Ph.D.

Wesley Chapel resident, retired NYPD detective 2nd Grade and 9/11 first responder, Dr. Luis Antonio Arroyo Ph. D, died on September 2nd, 2024, surrounded by family and friends.

"Louie" was born in Harlem NY, on August 12, 1960, to Maria Antonia Perez of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Ulises "Louie" Arroyo of Caguas, Puerto Rico.

Louie joined the NYPD in 1986. He was a first responder deployed to the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001, and was a recovery investigator aiding in the identification process for the victims of 9/11. He retired from the NYPD in 2006.

Aside from his many awards, accolades and commendations, Louie was a founding member and past president of the NYPD chapter of the National Latino Officers Association (NLAO). He was an active member of the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #310, the Knights of Columbus-Council 12956/Assembly 3036 (Previous Grand Knight), the NYS Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #196 (Secretary, Past State Trustee), and St Mark's the Evangelist Church (co-captain of Usher Ministries).

Louie lived his life with drive and passion. He believed in living for today and excelled in everything he set his mind to. He had a love of collecting model cars, motorcycles, clocks and watches, which was ironic because he was always late. He loved to read and find projects and was always creating things unique to his image.

Whether it was installing a ceiling fan for his mom, an exhaust fan for Ashley, a digital doorknob for Aunt Lola or helping his daughter Jasmine and son-in-law Steve with various home improvement projects, he could do it all. Louie was very handy and was always tinkering on anything with an engine, which included his Tundra, Ashley's Tacoma or his Harley Davidson Fat Boy.

He randomly explored unfamiliar places and loved learning new things. He loved cooking and trying to replicate his mother's famous fried chicken. Louie also made the worlds best French Fries. He loved music and always sang loudly and off key, to his favorite songs. He danced often, whenever and wherever, alone or a partner.

Louie was a man of God. He had compassion for his family and friends alike. He had a magnetic whit and great sense of humor and never ceased an opportunity to be self-deprecating or goofy, which drew the room to laughs and fun.

Louie was a great conversationalist and could talk for hours about this or that. He was the one you could count on for help or words of encouragement when you broke down on the side of the road or struggling with life. Louie was the man who would step in to aide with no expectations.

Louie always quoted his favorite scene from the movie Rocky: "The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows...You, Me or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life, but it ain't about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward".

He lived by those words and never wanted to let the negative weigh him down. Even during his struggles with 9/11 related illnesses, Louie was driven and tenacious on any tasks or goals he wished to achieve and obtained them with great humbleness and gratefulness.

Louie is reunited in death with his father Ulises "Louie" Arroyo and brother Eduardo Arroyo.

He is survived by his beloved mother, Maria Antonia Perez, his fiancé Ashley Casper (Milton), his daughter Jasmine Arroyo-Towle (Stephen), and his son Luis A. Arroyo Jr., Grandchildren, Stevie Grace, and Jayce Elliot Arroyo-Towle, his sisters Linda Arroyo, Debbie Arroyo-Coleman (Jeff), and Nancy Arroyo (Brian Maciejewski), and his three bonus children, Lilly, Damien, and Krysta.

He is also survived by his Godmother, Rafaela "Mañia" Perez and His Aunts, Carmen "Puchy" Perez, Aurora "Lola" Campochiaro, Milagros "Mino" Perez and Maria "Cuqui" Perez.

His Nephews, Angel Arroyo, Justin Arroyo and Nieces Janice Coleman, Tiara Arroyo and Sincere Arroyo.

Louie is also survived by many cousins, friends and his brothers and sisters in Blue.

Detective 2nd grade, Dr. Luis Antonio Arroyo, Ph. D., Badge # 167, Out of service. Gone but not forgotten.

A celebration of life is planned for Friday October 4th at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 9724 Cross Creek Blvd, Tampa FL 33647 at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome.