Louis J. Eswood, Jr.

Louis J. Eswood, Jr. age 68, of Parsippany, passed Tuesday, October 14, 2025 with the comfort of family by his side.

He was born in Paterson to Louis and Frances Eswood and grew up at 302 Michigan Avenue. He attended St. Brendan’s Elementary School later graduating from Paterson Catholic High School with the Class of 1975. Continuing his education, Louis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Montclair State College.

Louis met the love of his life, Nancy Drost, during a happy hour at Gaspar’s Restaurant & Night Club, in Wayne, after work. That chance encounter continued later that evening at the Pompton Queen Diner on Route 23, where their connection quickly deepened. After asking for her father’s blessing, Louis proposed to Nancy at her apartment. They were married on June 1, 1985, at St. Brendan’s Church in Clifton, followed by a reception at The Tides in North Haledon. The couple honeymooned in Bermuda and went on to share a loving and devoted marriage of forty years, blessed with two sons and four cherished grandchildren.

Louis’ strong work ethic began early in life. As a boy, he delivered newspapers to nearly one hundred customers each day, balancing the heavy basket on his bicycle as he made his rounds. He also cut lawns in Paterson, always willing to put in the effort to earn his way. During his high school and college years, he worked in the paint department of Sears at Willowbrook Mall, where he learned the value of customer service and responsibility. After graduating college, Louis began his professional career with Union Carbide Corporation in Wayne, working in the customer service division of their home and automotive group. When Union Carbide merged into 1st Brands Corporation in Parsippany, he transitioned into the role of Fulfillment Manager for Promotional Products. In 1999, Louis joined Prudential Financial in Newark as a Purchasing Manager for Consolidated Fulfillment, a position he held with dedication until his retirement in 2020. Over the years, Louis built a reputation as a dependable professional, admired for his integrity, attention to detail, and commitment to every role he undertook.

Louis was gifted with the talent of storytelling, captivating anyone who listened with his humor and insight. Inquisitive by nature and a true problem-solver, he was “Mr. Fix It” to family and friends alike, always ready to lend a hand or figure out a solution. His patience extended even to teaching parallel parking, where he turned a nerve-wracking rite of passage into a lesson in calm encouragement. He loved his time at the beach in Sea Isle City, found daily perspective in watching World News Tonight with David Muir, and delighted in dropping everything to catch Produce Pete on WNBC, eager to learn something new. Louis had a particular passion for investigating dairy product plant codes and sharing his discoveries with anyone willing to listen. Informative, resourceful, and endlessly curious, he found joy in the small details of everyday life and shared that joy generously with those around him.

Louis was the loving husband of forty years to Nancy Lynn Eswood (née Drost). He was the devoted father of Louis Joseph Eswood III and his wife Alyssa of Fairfax, VA, and Brian John Eswood and his wife Anna of Sewell. He took great pride in being the cherished grandfather of four—Madelyn, Connor, Olivia, and Bianca Eswood who brought him endless joy; he was the loved brother of MaryAnn Wiarda and her husband Pete of Green Pond. Louis was also the much loved brother-in-law to Ken Drost and his wife Dawn of Lafayette, CO, Tim Drost and his wife Jeananne of Verona, and Laurie Larsen of Wharton. He will be dearly missed by his many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends whose lives were touched by his kindness and love.

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In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Ally’sElves, Inc. www.allys-elves.org is a charity inspired by Louis' niece Alana (Ally), and the seniors whose lives are brightened by the joy and companionship Alana and her community deliver each holiday season.