Jose Luis Louro

No parent ever anticipates living longer than their child. That's the dream, the desire, the
expectation. The reality though, can be quite different as it is for me as I write this obituary for
my son. My heart is heavy with grief like a weight beyond my capacity to lift. Waves of
sadness, of mourning come and go like the ocean. He loved the ocean, by the way. I know the
intensity of the loss will abate over time. It's fresh to me now, and to my loved ones - my
family, my friends near and far. So let me share with you just a little about my boy, my first-
born.
Jose Luis Louro arrived July 9, 1984, and left this earthly world on July 22, 2024, at the age of 40
years young. Jose leaves behind his mother Matilde (Maty) Louro (née Portaz) of Midland Park,
his brother and sister-in-law, Alex and BAM Louro of Montauk, NY, and his partner, Joseph
Beeman of Philadelphia, PA. Jose was pre-deceased by his father, Manolo Louro, and his
grandparents. He is survived by his aunts, uncles, and cousins both in the USA and in Spain as
well as his many friends and colleagues from his youth, academic and professional life.
Jose brought a tenacious love of learning and sometimes debating with vigor the social,
political, and environmental issues of life, seeing these discussions as healthy and expanding
the horizons of understanding and responsibility. He loved music, art, and travel, especially
visiting his aunts, uncles, and many cousins in Galicia, Spain.
An inveterate student of life, Jose attended Midland Park Schools where he played French horn
and participated in band and choir. He was selected to All State Choir numerous times. After
graduation, he attended UPenn earning a BA in Political Science and Economics and later a BSN
from Thomas Jefferson University. Jose began his nursing career at Memorial Sloan Cancer
Center before moving back to his beloved Philadelphia where he continued his nursing career
at Jefferson University until his death.
Jose had a knack for being truly present with people, having a genuine interest and curiosity for what another person may be feeling, experiencing, and learning. This special art proved to be a loving service especially to those he cared for professionally. Through all of Jose's life sidebars, he made friendships that stood the test of time and distance.
Jose will be deeply missed. It is hard not to miss the sun when it sits behind the cloudy skies.
Yet he would like to be remembered as a smiling, loving person. He additionally requests that
each person who knows him or who reads this, that you take the energy expressed of a smiling,
loving person and pass it along to all who surround you. Jose, we have been blessed to have
you in our lives and are feeling the loss of your presence. We love you; you will forever be in
our hearts. Life will not be the same without you.
Visitation for Jose Louro will be Sunday, July 28, from 2-5pm at Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257
Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ. Cremation will follow with a private burial at the family's
discretion. Remembrance donations may be made to the Barnes Foundation
or to the charity of your choice.
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