Louis Giacomelli

Article Last Updated; Friday, September 25, 2009 1:53AM

Former Durango resident Louis Giacomelli died in Cottonwood, Ariz., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2009. He was 91.

Mr. Giacomelli was born to Ceasar and Santina (Brun) Giacomelli in Durango on Dec. 5, 1917. He grew up and lived much of his life here.

He served as a sergeant in the Army in World War II. Mr. Giacomelli worked as a dental technician making false teeth for wounded soldiers while stationed in Hilo, Hawaii.

On July 20, 1946, he married Charline Steele in Aztec.

He worked at Durango Music Store for Al Ruland, in sales at Durango Furniture Mart and in maintenance at Fort Lewis College.

He was a member of the Durango Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge No. 507 and the American Legion Post No. 27, where he would work as the bartender while his wife waited tables. Mr. Giacomelli performed with the Goldenaires, Durango's drum and bugle corps. The last year he was in the group, the Goldenaires placed sixth in the nation.

He was an avid fisherman, his daughter, Monica Giacomelli, said, and would come home from work every day and go down to the Animas River to cast his line in the water.

After Mr. Giacomelli's retirement in 1978, he and his wife moved to Arizona.

Mr. Giacomelli was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Charline Giacomelli.

He is survived by his daughter, Monica Giacomelli of Silver City, N.M.; son, Jim Shock, of Beaverton, Ore.; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

No public service will be held.

An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com.