IN MEMORIAM

Lou Presutti, 75; Lifelong

Quest Led To Dreams Park

Editor’s Note:  This is Mr. Presutti’s official obituary, prepared by Guenther Funeral Home in Olean.

COOPERSTOWN – Louis A. “Coach” Presutti II, 75, of Salisbury, N.C., Cooperstown Dream Park founder, died peacefully Wednesday, July 6, 2016, in Cooperstown.

Born and raised in Olean, the son of Louis and Lena DiCerbo Presutti, Louis attended Olean High School before enlisting and serving in the Army for four years.

Upon leaving the Army, he married Linda Regal and settled in LeRoy, near Rochester, to raise his family while pursuing different business and marketing opportunities.

In 1986, Louis and Linda relocated to Salisbury, where he continued pursuing a range of business interests.

Following a lifelong passion for baseball, and youth baseball in particular, in 1994 Lou made the decision with his wife and son to build his dream, Cooperstown Dreams Park. Thirty years earlier, he had stood in front of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown with his father and his son, when his father said, “Wouldn’t it be great if every kid had the chance to play in Cooperstown?” In 1996, that dream became a reality as Cooperstown Dreams Park opened for its inaugural season. It celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

Coach impacted the lives of so many.

He leaves his wife of 51 years, Linda; his daughters, Leslie McKillop and Laurie Presutti; son, Louis III; his grandchildren, Matthew, John, Thomas, Cielle and Luc; and his sisters, Nancy Presutti and Carme (Rocco) Cupolo.

Visiting hours will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Guenther Funeral Home Inc., 1303 E. State St., Olean. A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday (July 11, 2016) at St. John’s Church, Olean, followed by burial at St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany.

Memorials may be made in Louis’ name to a charity of the donor’s choice . – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/oleantimesherald/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=180610371#sthash.H0LTWoxY.dpuf