Louis "Lou" Benvenuto

Louis "Lou" Benvenuto, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, and a resident of Daphne, Alabama, and passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at the age of 107.
Louis "Lou", born Luiciano Benvenuto, was born on June 6, 1917, to Marianna Oliva and Eduardo Carmelo Benvenuto. Lou's parents immigrated separately from Sicily in 1910. They met and married in 1913, in Omaha, Nebraska. Lou had two older sisters, Malena and Rose. Lou worked at his dad's confectionary store while growing up. When Lou was 13 years old, his friend showed him how to make a crystal radio. From that point, Lou was hooked on electronics and inventing. He graduated from a Technical High School in 1936, in the electrical trade, and legally changed his first name to Louis. A friend in National Radio School asked Lou to join him in Los Angeles. His father saved enough money for him to attend. Lou graduated with licenses in first-class radio-telephone and ham radio. He returned to Omaha to work at a radio station as a technician.
Lou took a job at a radio station transmitter in Des Moines, Iowa, where he met and married Hilda Guthmiller. They moved to Davenport, Iowa. They went on a vacation to California to pursue Lou's dream of working in Hollywood in radio. He met an instructor from the school he attended who offered Lou a job in Los Angeles teaching radio and Morse code to soldiers for two years during WWII. Lou also worked at a hearing aid company and developed the first one-piece hearing aid.
Lou and Hilda bought a house in North Hollywood. Their son Gary was born on January 24, 1946, and then three years later to the day, their daughter, Janet, was born. Lou started a job at KFI Radio Station, and after three years, Lou became a pioneer in television as a cameraman for the original Channel 9, which was affiliated with NBC.
Lou worked as a cameraman for NBC for 34 years. He worked many shows, which included Bob Hope, Nat King Cole, Hollywood Squares, Dinah Shore, and he was the first cameraman on the Days of Our Lives. He also worked 29 Rose Parades. The last nine years of his career were spent as the number two cameraman for the Johnny Carson Show.
Lou and Hilda divorced after 35 years, and he married a longtime friend, Betsy Mason. Lou and Betsy lived in Van Nuys, California. Six years after their marriage, Betsy passed away from cancer. Lou attended a bereavement group and met Barbara Holoter. Lou later moved to Simi Valley, California, where he lived by himself until he was 103 years old. Lou and Barbara traveled together on cruises and in his RV, for 35 years. Lou sailed on 110 cruises. Lou and Barbara belonged to an RV club and went camping in central and southern California.
When Lou turned 103, he fell and broke his arm. He moved into an assisted living facility in Granite Bay, California, near his son and daughter. In 2022, his daughter and son-in-law moved to Daphne, Alabama, and Lou moved with them. He celebrated his 106th and 107th birthdays in Alabama. Lou was interviewed for the local Fox10 News television, he did it like a pro.. He recognized all his close family and could answer questions about things that happened 80 years ago. He could still do Morse code. Lou was the second oldest man in Alabama when he passed.
Lou was a kind and sensitive person with a good heart. He always had a big smile and was a favorite among the residents in assisted living. He loved his daughter's two dogs and was an avid bingo and card player. For the last several years, Lou wondered why God would not take him, but Lou's work was not finished. "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:23. "Lord, now let Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word." Luke 2:29. Lou died at the impressive age of 107 1/2 years old. He will be greatly missed.
Lou is survived by his son, Gary Benvenuto of Fair Oaks, California; and his daughter, Janet Timmons of Daphne, Alabama; his granddaughters, Heidi Timmons of Fair Oaks, California and Holly Timmons of Daphne, Alabama; his great granddaughters, Elena and Elexia Timmons of Daphne, Alabama and Ivy Macklin of Fair Oaks, California.
Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.