Louis L. Millevolte

Louis L. Millevolte “Lou”, 88, of Watertown WI …a transplant from Long Island, New York, Lou was the son of Louis J. Millevolte and Rose (Mazzara) Millevolte of Hicksville and was affectionately known as “Little Lou” in spite of being taller than his father. At Hicksville High, Lou continued the Millevolte family tradition of excelling in sports - as a third baseman, and as the star quarterback of the football team. At five foot four inches tall, he developed a technique of jumping up in the air to throw the ball. As a defender, his greatest claim to fame was his shoestring tackle of the future NFL Hall of Fame running back, Jim Brown, who played for a neighboring high school. 

After high school, Lou briefly attended Farmingdale College before entering the Army. He was posted in Seoul, Korea as a member of the Signal Corp during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge and on the GI Bill, Lou followed in his father’s footsteps and attended LaCrosse State Teachers College to become a Phys Ed teacher. Unlike his father, however, he did not return to New York after graduation, but fell in love with a young woman from Wisconsin who was also attending college at LaCrosse - Mary “Marjorie” Durkin. They married in 1961 and had their first child in LaCrosse before Lou completed his studies. After graduation, Lou took his first teaching position in Watertown, where they relocated to in 1963. In 1967 they purchased a house on Harvey Avenue, where they raised their children and where Lou would reside for the next 57 years. 

After taking a new teaching position in Oconomowoc, Lou became very active in coaching women’s gymnastics and in developing summer tumbling and gymnastic camps. For several years, the teams and individuals advanced and placed at the State Tournament, while in competition with much larger schools. The relationships that he had with the athletes has led to life-long friendships and mutual admiration - notably Barb Flynn and Suzi Rogers who remained in contact with Lou to the end of his life. His last teaching position was at Ixonia Elementary School where he, with the help of the students implemented an approximately 25 acre plot of native prairie along with many native seedling trees which now tower above it all.

He had many friends in and around Watertown along with volunteering, he enjoyed the regular comradery of his pals at the #666 Elks Club. Lou is preceded in death by his wife, Mary “Marge” Millevolte and his sister Katherine Millevolte. He is survived by his sister, Patricia Caroleo, his three sons - Anthony, Joseph, and Vincent, three beloved daughters in-law - Laura, Marlene, and Cheryl, eight grandchildren - Ricki Ann, Gus, Sal, Rose, Basil, Sylvan, Nick, and Nate, and two great-grandchildren - Nova and Carmine. 

There will be a memorial Mass at St. Charles Catholic Church, 313 Circle Dr. Hartland WI on Sat. March 1st 2025 at 11am, followed by a celebration of life gathering at the Watertown Elk’s Club 117 N. 1st St. (details to follow) 

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Lou’s favorite charities - The Nature Conservancy: https://preserve.nature.org/ or Doctors Without Borders: https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/