Louis Barone

Louis James Barone, age 93, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, formerly of Melrose Park, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Beloved husband of the late Barbara Ellen Barone; loving father of son Michael (Geralyn) Barone, grandchildren Marcus James (Kacee) Barone and Theresa Ellen (Tom Maesaka) Barone; son Mark (Marina) Barone, daughter Elisa (Robert) Barone, and son Louis James (Surada Zom) Barone, Jr. Born September 4, 1930, to Michael and Elisabeth (Aiello) Barone in Melrose Park, IL (suburb of Chicago, IL). Lou was the fifth of six children, with four older sisters and one younger brother. Lou is preceded in death by wife Barbara Ellen; both parents; and twin-sisters Rose (Louis) Martino and Therese (Joseph) Benso; sister Esther Barone; sister Virginia (Fred) Allen. He is survived by younger brother Michael C. Barone and is loved by many nieces and nephews. Lou graduated from Melrose Park Public Schools and Proviso High School in Maywood, IL in 1948. In 1950, Lou entered the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, IL, to pursue a degree in Architecture. During his time at Illinois, Lou’s education was interrupted when he was drafted into the Army. He was stationed in Germany and served our country from 1953 to 1955. In 1955, after returning from his military duties, and before he restarted Architecture school at the University of Illinois, he vacationed in Florida with two military friends. It was during this vacation that he met the love of his life, Barbara Ellen Mize of Atlanta, GA. Barb was to be in Florida with her girlfriends while Lou and his friends were there, but Barb could not go on the vacation as she had just started her first RN job after finishing Nursing school. While in Florida, one of Barb’s friends set up Lou to meet Barb as Lou was driving back from Florida to Chicago with a stop in Atlanta. Barb broke off a date with another guy to go on the “blind date” with Lou, and it was love at first sight for them both. They married on September 8, 1956, and raised four children, Michael, Mark, Elisa, and Louis, Jr. They initially lived in Oak Park, IL, and then bought their first home in 1960 in River Forest, IL. From 1956 to 1966, Lou worked at two private Architectural firms in Chicago, and then at HUD. While at HUD, his work travel covered seven states in the upper Midwest. He made many contacts through his field work and ended up choosing Green Bay as his home base, leaving HUD, to start his new private business venture. From 1966 to 1978, Lou practiced as a partner in the local firm of Nichols & Barone. Lou commuted from Chicago to Green Bay for about a year, then moved his family to Green Bay in July 1967. In 1978, Lou and his partner dissolved the business, and Lou started as principal of his new firm, Architects Group Limited, which is still a highly successful local architectural firm. Some of his projects during Lou’s time at AGL include, but are not limited to, Mason Manor; Krista McAuliffe Elementary school; Preble High School renovation; East High School Memorial Gate; West High School renovation, plus many others. Even with all this professional and business success, the most important aspect of Lou’s life was his family. He said he was truly fortunate and blessed to have a loving and supportive wife in Barbara, and to have four wonderful children. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 10, 2024 at Resurrection Catholic Parish, 333 Hilltop Drive, Green Bay, from 10:30 AM until the time of Mass at 12:00 PM. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Tom Reynebeau. Cremation will occur following services and Louis will be laid to rest at Allouez Catholic Chapel Mausoleum. The Barone family would like to express thanks for the wonderful help, love and care from Home Instead, especially Rose and Anna, and Unity Hospice, especially Miranda. They would also like to extend a special thank you to loyal friend, Bishop Robert Morneau. The family has asked that memorials be made Resurrection Catholic Parish.

Louis Barone

September 4, 1930 - June 4, 2024