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Louis Paul Coulombe, lovingly known as Lou, Captain Lou, Lou-E, Lou-IS, Luigi Pastrami, Skipper, and simply, Dad, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2024. Born on January 7, 1950, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, early on, his family moved to Toronto, where he would meet the love of his life, Lisa (née Smith). Together, they shared over 52 years of marriage, building a life filled with laughter, devotion, and family.
A proud father, Louis is survived by his children, Todd (Alexis and step-daughter Kaelyn) and Samantha (Michael). Louis was one of seven Coulombe siblings, predeceased by his parents, Bill and Blanche, and by his beloved twin sister Lynn, as well as siblings Beatrice, Diane, Paul, and Bernie. He is survived by his brother Gordie and Paul’s wife, Diane. He was a cherished member of the Smith family, predeceased by his in-laws Vincent and Betty, with whom he shared an endearing bond marked by humor and playfulness. He is survived by his sister-in-law Sam (Nick), along with Cathy (Brenda), Lori (Steve), Susan, and brothers-in-law Mike (Yvonne), Brian, Kerry (Agnes), and Pat (Judy). “Uncle Lou” was a loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.
When Todd and Samantha were young, the family moved to Burlington, Ontario, where Louis and Lisa raised them. After Todd and Samantha moved out and Louis retired, he and Lisa settled in Sarnia to be near his in-laws Vincent and Betty. In Sarnia, Louis and Lisa spent countless cherished hours with Vincent and Betty, Sam and Nick, and their children Taylor and Keegan, forming a strong, loving friendship that created many lasting memories. They shared countless meals, laughter, and stories, creating bonds that became a treasured part of Louis’ later years.
A machinist for over 30 years, Louis was a creator at heart, finding joy in building and crafting. His hands brought life to furniture and cabinetry, and his fascination with electronics and photography kept him ahead of his time. He proudly owned one of the earliest personal computers—a Commodore 64, which he kept in its original packaging and has since passed along to his son, who shares his passion for technology. His love of photography is also part of his legacy; the family home is adorned with photos taken by his daughter, Samantha, whose artistic eye mirrors his own. If you know carpentry, you know a dovetail joint—the strongest of all, interlocking to resist being pulled apart. Louis had a gift for bringing together all the pieces of his life, creating something enduring and beautiful that could never be torn apart.
A devoted Blue Jays fan, Louis had a love-hate relationship with his team, faithfully following each season’s ups and downs. The irony of marrying into a family large enough to field a baseball team was never lost on him. He will be remembered for his quiet strength, his boundless creativity, and the love he infused into the lives of those around him.
A celebration of Louis’ life will be held at Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia, on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. with family and friends being received one hour prior from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to a charity of your choice.