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IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Louis Anthony

Louis Anthony Pager Profile Photo

Pager

Apr 2, 1925 — Jun 12, 2019

Orland Park

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Obituary

Louie Pager lived a full and meaningful life. He was a treasure of a man – a loving husband, fantastic
father and a good friend to many. Always with a quick comeback or a witty quip, Louie regaled people
with his life's stories. He left our world with his loving family surrounding him, love in his heart, peace in
his mind and his trademark cigar in his hand.
Passing at the age of 94, Louis A. Pager, Sr. was our greatest generation. Born to an Italian father and
Yugoslavian mother whom immigrated to the U.S., Lou grew up on the south side of Chicago. Heeding
the call of our Nation, he served in the Navy during WWII and again as a Naval Aviator during the Korean
War. Louis Anthony Pager, Sr. was among our Nation's finest. Louie even had the privilege to fly former
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in a tour around Puerto Rico when she came to visit the troops.
In between WWII & the Korean War, Louie obtained his education at DePaul University. Working nights
driving a taxi while attending school and having a young family he managed to juggle obtaining his Juris
Doctorate. Practicing law at Rappaport & Meyer law firm in downtown Chicago, Louie retired in 1991,
after working at the same firm for 40 years. Louie lived a long life of steadfast honor dedicating himself
to his family and friends. Marrying Lois May Bishop on September 1, 1951, they started a family
welcoming their first of five children, Linda, who was then followed shortly by Louie and Peggy. Laura
and Marilyn were welcome additions a few years later and rounded out the family to lucky #7.
Louie Pager was an adventurous soul and became more carefree after retirement. Louis & Lois embraced
traveling across country and would spend half the year in Southern California and half the year in Orland
Park, IL. Together Lou & Lois found quaint towns to explore, National Parks to be awed by and often took
the roads less traveled on their journeys. Louie learned to downhill ski at the age of 70, parasailed in
Hawaii with his grandchildren and was an avid gardener throughout his life. He was quick to hop in the
car for a spur of the moment trip, liked to watch the Chicago Bulls with his granddaughter Jessica – the tv
on mute as Pops liked the radio announcers more. He appreciated classical music, sports, and never
missed an opportunity to dance. He was always tinkering and doing odd jobs at his children's homes. No
household chore was too big or small for Louie. He mastered placing a rock wall for a fireplace, tiling
floors, building a grape vine trellis, building decks and installing hot tubs. You name it and Louie was up
for the project never holding back his ideas and instruction. And of course, tractors were his domain as
he never met a lawn he didn't want to cut.
Pops, as his 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren fondly referred to him loved keeping score at his
granddaughters' softball games, spending time chatting with his grand kids and offering advise when
asked. Pops always wanted to know the scoop, and know what all his grandchildren were doing and was
very proud of their accomplishments. Always witty and providing a good story, Louie was an endearing,
caring, kind Grandpa, and always made sure his grand children were taken care of. His famous sayings,
"Where's the Mott's", "Hey, leave me a roll of 20's on your way out" and advice, "Run to the roundhouse
Nellie, they can't corner you there" are embedded in his grandchildren's minds. In most recent years
Jessica, Nico, and Josh had his menu memorized of his favorite foods; hot dogs with mustard and onions
only, White Castle Sliders (which he always reminds you used to be 10 cents), Marilyn's famous sunny
side up eggs, and most of all his love for ice cream, milk and Old Fashion Loaf (we have never met a man
that loved cold cuts more then Louie).
Always social and enjoying being the life of the party anyone who knew Louie can envision him with a
Perfecto Garcia Palma Cigar in one hand and an Old-Style Beer in the other. Amazingly, he was able to
operate a boat, snow ski, water ski and pretty much do everything else in his life with a cigar in his
mouth. An admirable skill he kept honed until his last moments. Although not actually smoking the past
25 years that never deterred Louie from chomping on his beloved cigar, as he famously explained to a
Border Patrol Officer while crossing from Canada to the U.S. while in possession of a contraband Cuban
cigar. Never a dull moment in the Life of Louie.
Louis Anthony Pager, Sr. is preceded by his wonderful wife, Lois (Bishop) Pager, eldest daughter Linda
Marie Canino and his son Louis Anthony Pager, Jr, his sister Margaret (late Tony) Coglianese and brother
Victor (late Bernie) Pager. As a family we are heartened he will see his loved ones who have been awaiting his arrival.
Louis is survived by his daughters Margaret Daniels, Laura Pager (David Kelpsas), Marilyn (Stan)
Voras, and son-in-law Frank Canino. Blessed with nine grandchildren: Rose Canino (Kit Hard), Frank (Erin)
Canino, Amber (Kris) Wiseley, Kristin (Jeremy) Safa, Jamie (Ryan) Anderson, Leslie (Rodney) Tolentino,
Jessica Migacz, Nicolo Voras and Josh Voras. And eleven great grandchildren: Charles, Bella, Tennyson,
Owen, Tucker, Dylan, River, Willow, Kendall, Callum and Molly. He is loved and missed by his nieces and
nephews, Deanna, Fran, June, Kathi, David, Joann, Mary, Cathy, Bill and Charles.
Louie's was a life well-lived. He will be missed by family, friends, and so many lives that he has touched.
We've been blessed he was with us for so many years. Eleven years ago, his son in law Stan, who was
truly a devoted son to Louie, designed and built him a beautiful addition to the family home which Louie
and Lois had built over 50 years ago. Louie was able to live with his family again in a beautiful home
surrounded by a forest. As a family we want to particularly thank Marilyn, Stan, Jessica, Nico and Josh for
the last 11 years of love, commitment and happiness you have given such a special man. Years of Love
and Laughter were added for us all because you took such good care of Louie.
See you on the next shift, Louie.
Visitation Tuesday, 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Chapel Prayers Wednesday 11:00 a.m. at Thornridge Funeral Home (Janusz Family Funeral Service), 14318 S. LaGrange Rd., (Northbound traffic: U-turn permitted at 143rd St.), Orland Park. Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.

Funeral Services

Visitation

June
18

Tuesday

Thornridge Funeral Home of Orland Park

14318 LaGrange Road, Orland Park, IL 60462

2:00 - 9:00 pm

Chapel Prayers

June
19

Wednesday

Thornridge Funeral Home of Orland Park

14318 LaGrange Road, Orland Park, IL 60462

Starts at 11:00 am

Interment

June
19

Wednesday

Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery

20953 West Hoff Road, Elwood, IL 60421

Starts at 12:30 pm

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