Louis Contino

Louis A. Contino, age 94, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 15, 2019.

Louis was born in Astoria Queens, NY where he was raised until finishing the eighth grade. He moved with his family to Teaneck, NJ and attended Teaneck High School starring on the school’s varsity football, baseball and wrestling teams. In his senior year, a strong sense of patriotism prompted Louis to enlist in the United States Marines. He served in the Pacific during World War II from 1943 to 1945 in the Marianas Islands and was involved in two invasions on the Islands of Saipan and Tinian. He was a telephone lineman where, one of his jobs, because of his great athletic speed, was to literally run wire from one switchboard to the next.

After the war, Louis finished high school and was accepted to West Virginia University where he played football. He then joined his brother who was already a full-time fireman for the Teaneck Fire Department and concurrently attended Bergen Community College. His life path switched gears again when he took the exam to become a New Jersey State Trooper. While serving in this capacity of law enforcement, Lou also earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Soon after he left the state police to pursue a career in education. He taught social studies and physical education at Clifton High School but, realizing that this was not for him, he went to work for Travelers Insurance Company where he began as a claims adjuster and retired in 1995 after a long and fulfilling career as a claims supervisor.

One day while Louis was a state trooper, he and fellow troopers were involved in a good-will campaign bringing Christmas candy to the telephone operators at New Jersey Bell. By mistake, Lou brought the candy to the wrong department where he had the good fortune of meeting a service representative named Ellen Jardine. Ellen explained to Lou where the operator pool was, but before he left to complete his delivery, he asked Ellen if she would like to join him for coffee. Struck by Lou’s handsomeness and polite manner, Ellen accepted his offer and, that very day, before Lou left, the two of them went across the street to the local coffee shop on that first impromptu date. Nine months later, on September 5, 1954, they married at St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes. Following a honeymoon in Cape Cod the newlyweds initially settled into their first official home together with Lou’s parents. They remained there for two years before moving to their present home in Wayne where Louis lived the rest of his life – 63 years! During those years, Lou and Ellen were blessed with two sons – first Peter and then Paul Contino.

Retirement from Travelers Insurance Company in 1995 opened the door for new pursuits for Lou. Always one who enjoyed working with his hands, Lou tried some new and interesting hobbies such as wood carving and making his own greeting cards. His wood carvings were primarily wood figurines including intricate figures of Santa. The card making began when he started copying the cartoon called “Love Is” that was published in the newspaper. As time went on and Lou’s ability to draw and sketch improved, he started incorporating his works into greeting cards for all occasions. Ellen never had to go to the Hallmark store again and if you are reading this, at one time, maybe you received a homemade Christmas card from Lou and Ellen. Lou also gave baking a shot but limited his pursuit exclusively to fresh breads. The house always smelled so delicious when those breads were in the oven!

Lou took great pride in his yard and really enjoyed being outdoors working in his beautiful gardens which he and Ellen affectionately called “The Forest.”  He created a series of garden paths adorned with all kinds of perennials that bloomed at different times throughout the spring, summer and fall.

Lou and Ellen enjoyed travel with some of their favorite adventures being trips to England, France, Italy and a little closer to home with trips to the Alaska, the Rockies, and New Orleans, and even a little closer to home at their summer house in Beach Haven at Long Beach Island where Lou could often be found casting his fishing line off of the beach. During his thirty years of fishing, Lou hauled in many-a delicious dinner entrée. Lou and Ellen loved the ocean waters and also enjoyed a Tauck Tour vacation sailing to all the countries in the Mediterranean.

It should come as no surprise that Lou was a big sports fan whose greatest allegiance was to the New York Giants and the New York Yankees. With his conservative leanings, he also enjoyed engaging in a good debate with Ellen who leaned more toward a liberal utopia. He enjoyed so much to see his grandchildren when he got the chance and he loved any kind of get-together when he could be with family a friends. Above all, Louis Contino wanted to be remembered as a good and loving husband, father, and provider.  

Louis was the beloved husband of Ellen (nee Jardine) blest in marriage for 65 years. He was the loving father of Peter C. Contino and wife Dr. Deborah Winking of Windsor, Colorado, and Paul L. Contino of Bloomingdale; cherished grandfather of: Gabriel, Isabella, Carl, Sophia, Julia, and Maxim; dear brother of the late Charles Contino and his late wife Helen; and dear uncle of: Barbara Contino, Patricia Contino, and the late Carolyn Contino.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Louis’ name are asked to consider one of the following:

Pompton Falls Volunteer Fire Department No. 3

130 Jackson Avenue

Wayne, NJ 07470

You may also donate online at waynefire3.com

Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad

PO Box 2004

Wayne, NJ 07470

You may also donate online at waynefirstaid.com