Louis R. Remza

Remza, Louis R.

Binghamton: On the sunny winter afternoon of January 30, 2014, in his loving home in Binghamton, NY, Louis Remza, 94, passed through death to enter eternal life in God's palace. He joins his beloved wife, Marjorie (Marge). She was the love of his life. His love and heartfelt feelings for her remained with him over these last six years after her passing. They were married for 61 years and now he is with her forever. He is also reunited with his three sons, the triplets. Louis is also with his loving mother, Maria, whom he loved and adored; his father, Stephen; brother, Stephen; sister, Marie Herrmann; his uncle and aunt, Rudy and Helen Zaicek and his cousin, their son Ralph. Louie and Marge will now get back to those card games with his brother-in-law and wife, George and Joy Himko. The four of them had so much fun playing cards and spending Saturday nights together in their later years. Of Slovak decent, Louis enjoyed his childhood and high school years in Johnson City, NY. He was active in sports and loved baseball, basketball, and football. He loved the Yankees and felt fortunate to watch Babe Ruth play in person. Upon graduation from high school Lou began working for the Endicott Johnson Shoe Company. It was there he met his sweetheart, Marge. Louis enlisted in the U.S. Navy following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served on the U.S.S. Wichita CA 45, a heavy cruiser, as Radioman, 1st class. He survived many battles, receiving ribbons and medals for the American theatre, Europe-Africa-Middle East (1 star), Asia Pacific (10 stars (2 silver)), good conduct, the Philippine liberation (2 stars), Navy Occupation Service - Asia, Combat Action, Victory, Honorable Service, and Discharge. Asia Pacific Battles included the Philippines, Midway, Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Okinawa, Luzon, and Iwo Jima. He was an active member of the American Legion Post 80. He returned home following the war and married his sweetheart, Marjorie Himko. One of his former shipmates said, "It was a love story they make movies about." Lou and Marge were devoted to each other and enjoyed dancing, bowling, spending time with friends and family and working on their home and yard. They had a lovely home on Binghamton's South side and upon the birth of the twins Louis became a devoted father to his children. Flashcard games were regular evening events. Lou shared his passion for sports with his son and chauffeured his daughter and the other cheerleaders to and from practice, games, and camps. In 1974, he was voted Tau Phi Epsilon sorority father. In 1957 Lou joined IBM's Federal Systems Division Space Guidance Center at Owego, NY in Calibration and Test. He developed his expertise and career in various aspects of Testing until his retirement in 1987. He received numerous recognition awards and contributed to the Saturn/Apollo missions IBM participated in, including Apollo 11, the 1st moon landing. In addition to Owego, he worked in Bethesda, MD, Gaithersburg, VA, and Cape Kennedy, FL. He loved the time he spent working and living in Florida during the mid-60s. As a member of IBM's Quarter Century Club, he enjoyed reconnecting with colleagues at various events. As a founding member of St. Andrew's Parish in 1955 he was continually active within the Parish. As his friend, Tom Marcello said, "he did anything and everything the church asked of him, from being an usher to counting to serving." He never said, "no." He was also known by many as the best dressed man of Saint Andrew's Parish. He always dressed well to be in the presence of God. After his retirement from IBM he attended Mass daily and volunteered as the daily and funeral Mass altar server for over 10 years. Louis is survived by his loving, devoted, and caring daughter, Lorraine Remza. Upon her mother's failing health and passing, Lorraine, lovingly gave of herself so that her father could receive home care and remain in the comfort of his home and continue to enjoy his cat, Dolly. When words became difficult for him, he still managed to say, "I love my daughter." He is also survived by his son, Louis (Betsy), whom he loved and nurtured. He shared his passion for sports and attended every game. He enjoyed helping his son develop skills for not only baseball, but also for basketball, football, golf, swimming, and fishing. Louie loved the water, and enjoyed bringing his family to vacation at Wildwood, NJ and Lake Ontario. He also enjoyed bringing his family to evening picnics at State Park as well as barbequing chicken on Sunday afternoons. Louis and Marge also took an active, supportive, loving and caring role in their grandchildren's lives. Louis was blessed with grandchildren, Ryan (Karee) and Jessica; and four great-grandchildren, Xander and Quyn, Dominic and Giano. Also, very close to him and very helpful to both him and Lorraine was his brother-in-law, Stephen Himko. Steve continued Marge's garden for them and helped in any way he could, from fixing windows to snow blowing. Sister-in-law Irene Lucik continued to make loving visits. Uncle Louie, as lovingly called by his many nieces and nephews, enjoyed family get-togethers with all of them. His niece, and wedding flower girl, Diane (Himko) Kuklis, and her family continued to keep in touch with their "Uncle Louie." Louis was an intelligent, accomplished, selfless, family provider and protector, follower of Christ, happy, sincere, honest, honorable and humble gentleman filled with love. These words which so perfectly describe him are found in I Corinthians 13;4-8 Love is patient, love is kind it is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, love does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, love does not take into account a wrong suffered, love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. His fatherly advice, even stated in his frail state, was, "Pray Together," "Love one another." "Be a good citizen." "Be good to each other." Then he said, "Pray for me." His legacy is "Love." Lorraine extends a sincere thank you to the caregivers who helped her care for her dad. Extra special gratitude is extended to Candy, Cathy, Cindy and Sara, his recent caregivers. Mark Whalen and Carl Lanuti, thank you both for your help and support over these years. Thank you to neighbors, Uncle Steve, Paul Himko and Rob Bucci for your help. A sincere thank you is also extended to Lourdes at Home, Dad's nurse Elisa Chrzan and aide Cindy Husnay. Thank you Dr. Shady and Dr. Steinmetz, for your medical care for my father. Thank you also to the VA Medical Team for the home support. I will forever be grateful to all of you who have helped over the past six years. Funeral Mass will be held Monday February 3 at 1PM at Sts. John and Andrew's Church with Rev. Msgr. Michael Meagher officiating followed by the Rite of Committal at Calvary Cemetery. The family will welcome friends Sunday February 2 from 1 to 4PM at Savage Funeral Home 338-344 Conklin Ave. Binghamton, NY. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.savagefs.com. Donations in memory of Louis Remza can made to Meals on Wheels, 85 Walnut St., Binghamton, NY 13905 and/or Lourdes at Home, 4102 Vestal Rd., Vestal, NY 13850.