Obituary of Louis John DeSantis

After a courageous battle, Louis J. DeSantis Jr. of Owego, NY succumbed to pancreatic cancer at home surrounded by his family. He was welcomed into heaven on Friday, October 9, 2015. Louie had just turned 70. Louie was born on August 31,1945 to Adrianna Baio DeSantis and Louis John DeSantis, Sr. of Endicott, NY. He graduated from Owego Free Academy High School in Owego, NY. It was there he fell in love with his now wife of almost 50 years, Mary Judith (Boland) DeSantis. Louie went on to obtain his associates degree in Business and Economics from Broome Community College in Binghamton, NY. Louie had a very successful career which began at IBM Federal Systems Division (FSD) in Owego, NY and spans a multitude of positions and responsibilities throughout the now Lockheed Martin Systems Integration (LMSI) Owego facility. Louie’s leadership ability guided many programs to success. He served as Vice President for three LMSI – Owego business areas including his final role as VP of Systems Solutions that included Tactical Wheeled Vehicles (TWV) and Integrated Electronic Warfare (IEW) as well as Distribution Technologies. Each of these business units served both domestic and international markets with a presence in the UK and Europe. Throughout his 43 year career, he also served as Vice President of Integrated Products, Vice President of Subsystem Solutions and Vice president for Manufacturing Operations. Among his diverse program wins and accomplishments, in 1987, Louie was also Vice President over LM Canada and the B-2 Program where he was named Director of Advanced Electromagnetic Systems. Here he assumed total program management for the B-2 program, the most complex radar detection system ever developed. Louie retired from Lockheed Martin in 2010 having achieved multiple senior management positions. During retirement, he began a successful consulting firm, LJD Consulting, where he advised several nationwide corporations on a part time basis. Louie served on many boards including, the Boy Scouts of America and the Tioga County Boys and Girls Club. He gave unselfishly of time and donations. Louie and Judi raised their children in Owego, NY with the love of family around them. Louie spent any free time he had on his boat, enjoying the outdoors and nurturing his grandchildren. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, and spent summers on Cayuga Lake and winters in Conover, NC. Most of all he loved spending time with his family and friends…and watching the Yankees when they were winning! Louis is survived by his loving wife, Judi Boland DeSantis who resides in Owego, NY. He is also survived by his two daughters; Lisa Maria DeSantis and her Fiancé Frank Vultaggio (Apalachin, NY), Michele DeSantis Loy and husband Brian Loy (Hickory, NC). Lou was blessed with three special grandchildren he loved so very much: Lucas Gibson (Apalachin, NY), Madeline Loy and Benjamin Loy (Hickory, NC). Louis is also survived by his twin brother Leonard DeSantis and wife Nancy Boland DeSantis (Owego,NY) as well as his sister Diana DeSantis Caffo and husband Gene Caffo (Endicott, NY). He has also left behind several very loving nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, October 15 at Pheasant Hill Country Club, Owego, NY. Celebrant, Steve Lawrence will be officiating. Friends may call upon the family from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm, Wednesday October 14 at Estey, Monroe & Fahey Funeral Home in Owego. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Tioga County Boys and Girls Club. Louie will be remembered by his friends and family as an amazing example of unconditional love, loyalty and honesty. This one’s for you dad. You are definitely a “Keeper”! The Fisherman's Prayer I pray that I may live to fish... Until my dying day. And when it comes to my last cast, I then most humbly pray: When in the Lord's great landing net And peacefully asleep That in His mercy I be judged Big enough to keep.