Louis Lupinacci

Louis "Louie” Lupinacci was born to Margaret and Vincent Lupinacci on September 13, 1924. He grew up at 57 Mott Street in New York City alongside his siblings Vincent, George, and Camille. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on December 23, 1942, training as a machine gunner at Fort Sheridan. On June 6, 1944, Louie landed in the first wave on Omaha Beach at the Easy Red sector during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He continued his service through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Scotland, England, and Germany, contributing to the Allied efforts in securing Europe. For his exemplary service, Louie was awarded several military honors, including the Army Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC), European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II D-Day Commemorative Medal, American Campaign Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal.

After returning home, Louie joined the 52/20 Club, a U.S. government program that provided financial assistance to WWII servicemen while they sought employment. He initially worked at a frozen fish packing company before his uncle secured him a position at a construction company, where he advanced to supervisor over a 42-year career. In 1948, Louie met Nancy, who worked with his sister Camille at Chemical Bank on Canal Street in Manhattan. They married on January 20, 1951, at St. Mary’s Church in Rosebank and honeymooned in Quebec, Canada. The couple settled in Rosebank and shared 56 years of marriage until Nancy's passing in August 2007.

Louie remained active in his later years, traveling to Hong Kong in 2008 to visit his godchild, Veronica, and her family. In 2013, he journeyed to Europe with Veronica and her husband, Eddie, visiting the first tower he helped liberate and the exact spot where he landed at Normandy. They also toured Paris, Venice, Florence, and Rome. As a Veterans of Foreign Wars Labetti Post member in Rosebank, Louie bowled until the age of 96 and enjoyed gardening, cooking, and trying new recipes. He was an active member of St. Charles Seminary and served as an usher at St. Mary’s and later at St. Joseph-St. Mary Immaculate R.C. Church. An avid fan of football and the New York Yankees, Louie is affectionately known as “Uncle Louie” to his extended family. On September 13, 2024, Louie celebrated his 100th birthday. In honor of this milestone, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella presented him with a proclamation declaring October 9 as “Louis (Louie) Lupinacci Day” in the Borough of Staten Island.