Clarksburg, West Virginia - With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Louie "Lou" Belcastro, 94, of Lumberport. He left this Earth on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from the West Virginia Veteran's Nursing Facility in Clarksburg. He was born on September 19, 1930 in Bethlehem, WV to the late Frank and Anita (Bartolo) Belcastro.

If you knew Lou, you know he was a true gentleman known for his love of a good joke and sports. He demonstrated a compassion for others and for animals, especially his cats.

Lou, the sixth son of Frank and Anita (Bartolo) Belcastro of Shinnston, was known to those closest to him as "Babe" - a name his momma called him since he was the "baby" of the family.

In addition to his parents, Lou is preceded in death by his brothers: John, Jim, Joe and Dominick and a niece Mary Evelyn.

Lou is survived by his sister-in-law, Mildred Belcastro and by seven nieces and nephews: Tina Hanna, Anita Ballard, John Belcastro II, Joyce Miker, Joseph Belcastro, Chrissy Arco and Debra Benedetti and by many great nieces and nephews as well as great great nieces and nephews including a special great nephew, Erik Miker and his Godson, Terry Shimp.

Louie graduated from Shinnston High School, class of 1949, where he played on the basketball, baseball and track teams and was freshman class president and president of the student council his senior year. After graduation, he enrolled at Clarksburg Business College and pursued a degree in accounting which he put to use as he was hired by the Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company and worked for the company for thirty years. When he retired, he held the position of manager at the West Union A & P store.

His time at the A & P store was interrupted for a short while when he enlisted in the United States Marines during the Korean conflict and served from 1950 to December 1953.

With the end of the war, the Corp asked him to stay on as a member of the Marine Corp Reserves to serve as Employment Interviewer until December of 1953. He was awarded the National Defense Medal and earned the rank of Corporal.

One would not hear him speak a negative word of others and always stood up for "the underdog."