Louis Lalla - Obituary

ouis De Lalla, 82, a resident of the Washington D.C. area for over 70 years, passed away quietly of congestive heart failure on June 19 at the Washington Hospital Center. Lou was born February 19, 1926 in Casacalenda, Italy, to the late Frank and Giulia De Lalla. He emigrated from Italy to the United States at the age of 11. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II. He was a cobbler by trade and the owner of Gem Valet, Inc. drycleaners in the greater Washington D.C. area for nearly 50 years. He is survived by his beloved wife, Carmela (“Connie”) of nearly 57 years, their four children (and their spouses), Jean (Brian), Frank (Melinda), Michael (Maria), and Jo Anne (Will); and eight grandchildren, Kristin (Peter), Joanna, Jonathan, Stephen, Eric, Emily, Lauren, and Margaret. Lou loved traveling the globe, but most of all, he loved his family and every opportunity to spend with them, especially at weekly Sunday supper gatherings around the dining room table. Family and friends are invited to join in Lou's Life Celebration from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday and Monday at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 6160 Oxon Hill Road in Oxon Hill, MD. Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Columba Catholic Church (Oxon Hill). Interment Fort Lincoln Cemetery. Please sign the guest book at: www.kalasfuneralhomes.com