Longtime Westburyite, Lou Cosenza, passed away on Nov. 24, 2006. He was 97. Lou, born Luigi Cosenza in Manhattan on Jan. 1, 1909, grew up in East Harlem and the Bronx. He was the second son of Italian immigrants who came to the US seeking the opportunities that America promised.

His first job as a young teenager was at the famed Latin Quarter Night Club in Manhattan. When he was older, during the depression years, Lou worked a variety of jobs which included being a chauffer for the renowned Congressman, Vito Marcantonio and working at the area thoroughbred racetracks. In the early 1940s, the parimutuel ticket machine was invented which revolutionized betting betting at racetracks. IN 1941, Lou joined the New York Racing Association as a mutuel clerk and became a founding member of the Independent Association of Mutel Employees, a labor union which eventually merged with Local 3, IBEW in the 1970s. During his tenure with NYRA, Lou worked on the legislative committee which eventually led to the advent of OTB.

Lou moved his family from Manhattan to Westbury in 1958. In Westbury, Lou was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus and served many years as an usher at St. Brigid's Church. He also served on the fund raising committee to build the diocesan high schools for Rockville Centre. After retiring from NYRA in1982 he became an active member of the Salisbury Senior Citizens. During the past three years, Lou was a resident at the Bristal Assisted Living Center where he remained active until his death. Lou was preceded in death by wife Mary and son Louis. He is survived by his daughter Teena Cullen of Syosset, son Michael Cosenza of Moorpark, CA, son-in-law Robert Cullen and daughters-in-law, Mary Ellen DeCiutiis Cosenza and Suzanne Stewart Cosenza. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Arrangements were made by the Donohue Cecere Funeral Home, Westbury. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Hope RC Church. Entombment Holy Rood Cemetery.