Louis N. "Lou" Backes

Louis N. "Lou" Backes, age 96, of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 1, 2023. He spent his last days at home surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on January 23, 1927, he was a son of the late Julius J. and Victoria B. (Ernst) Backes. Lou proudly served in the United States Navy during World War II where he was stationed at Sasebo, Japan as a quartermaster from 1945–47. He began his career in 1952 in Pittsburgh as a price administrator/customer service representative for E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., transferring to Falling Waters, West Virginia (residing in Hagerstown, Maryland) in 1961, and finally transferring to Wilmington, Delaware in 1970 where he made his home with his family in Newark, Delaware. Lou retired from DuPont in 1985 after 33 years of service. During his last several years, he made his residence in Wilmington, Delaware.
In addition to his parents, Lou was preceded in death by his brothers Howard Backes, Walter Backes, Russell Backes, his sisters Ruth Woods and Claire Backes, and his granddaughter, Nicole Durnan. He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Lois L. (Hinch) Backes; children, Wayne Backes (Cheryl), Cheryl Pusey (Larry), and Karen Durnan (David); grandchildren, Gregory Backes, Nathan Backes, Larry Pusey II, Eric Pusey, Jessica Grabowski, and Jason Durnan; and great-grandchildren, Owen Pusey, Mason Pusey, Benjamin Pusey, Savannah Pusey, and Dean Grabowski.
Among his talents, Lou was thoughtful, creative and faithful. He was a published poet who loved combining words and blending thoughts that were meaningful and inspirational. In addition, he was a talented artist whose passion was in portraits. He and Lois enjoyed ballroom dancing and loved spending time with friends on the DuPont Country Club dance floor. In addition to dancing, Lou was also an avid golfer. He spent many years at the DuPont Country Club golf course and cherished any opportunity he had to teach his grandchildren how to master the perfect swing and putt.
Visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, Delaware, where a memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, Delaware.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lou's memory to St. John/Holy Angels Parish, 82 Possum Park Road, Newark, Delaware 19711 or online by clicking here.