Louis Francis Armstrong

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dad, Louie Armstrong Sr., after a very brief stint (26 hours) at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John's, Newfoundland, on April 6, 2025, at the age of 83.

While our sadness is deep, we are eternally grateful to have had the love of such a gentle, kind, content, loving, and generous person in all our lives. Dad, who was born down by the water and that is where he stayed. Born and raised in Witless Bay, Newfoundland, a small town on the Southern Shore, a community which he cherished and loved to be a part of - nobody loved Witless Bay like dad did. He had a large presence in the community and will be forever missed.

Predeceased by his parents, Tom and Josephine Armstrong (nee Vickers), his sisters, Catherine Hollohan (Leo), Monica Hollohan (Kevin), Josephine Vickers (Vince), and his brothers Thomas (Lena), William, Robert (Agnes) and sister-in-law Regina. Bob and Mary (May) Hawkins and all the members of the Hawkins family, with whom he shared countless hours around the kitchen table playing cards and sharing many laughs. He was also predeceased by his best friend in life, Paul Carey, and his favourite brother-in-law Raymond Sullivan, who never judged or expected anything from dad.

Left to mourn with heavy hearts are his loving wife, Anita of 56 years; his daughter Bonnie (Phil Greene) and beautiful granddaughters Mae and Kate; his favourite son Louie (Paula MacDonald Armstrong) and handsome grandsons Michael and Jack; his youngest daughter Brenda (Stephan Bendiksen) and their precious twins, Josie and Ellie. Also left to mourn are his younger brothers Jim and Francis (Cathy), sisters-in-law, Jean Armstrong, Marlene Ettleman, Mathilda (Tee) Mayse, Mildred Hawkins, Dorothy Hawkins, and Mary Hawkins & Brother-in-law Bren Tobin.  In addition, dad leaves to mourn a huge circle of nieces, nephews and friends and all those he touched and left his mark on through his years.

Dad was known for his work ethic, dedication, and sense of community. He started his career at a young age in the local fish plant before purchasing an oil truck and delivering furnace oil to residents along the Southern Shore. His entrepreneurial spirit continued when he opened the Gulf Gas Station on top of the Pinch, a business he operated with pride for 11 years. Following the sale of the Gas Station, he still wanted to be his own boss and decided to take on a new role as top Chef at the Hill Top Restaurant, where he became famous for his delicious "Smacko Burgers." (Ketchup, Lettuce, Bacon and Mayo). After a short stint in the restaurant industry that proved not to be too profitable, dad found his next calling working at the newly constructed local hockey arena, a position he held with great pride - nobody could prepare a sheet of ice with the Zamboni like dad did. Dad enjoyed every minute of working with the Southern Shore Breakers and watching the young talent of the Southern Shore flourish, he continued there until being diagnosed with prostate cancer which led him to retirement in 2007.

In 1986, the Town of Witless Bay was incorporated, and a Town Council was formed and dad was a founding member. He was delighted to give back to the town as a councilor so he could help the residents and aid in making Witless Bay a better place.

Dad loved nothing more than cooking pan fried cod or Sunday dinners for his family and spending time outdoors. His secret to cooking fish escapes many of us as we can never duplicate it like Dad, it just never tastes the same. He really enjoyed puttering around in his yard, vegetable garden and sheds, and his daily ritual often included a smoke and a beer (or a few) while watching traffic pass by on the Southern Shore; a small pleasure that brought him peace. In another life, Dad must have been a weather man as he could tell the winds and weather that was coming and he learned to prepare for it. He yearned for sunny, hot days, as soon as the sun broke in May or June, off came the shirt and it was time to suntan! How many days did he spend in nothing but a pair of shorts and slippers or rubber boots. In his later years, dad spent a lot of time looking out the window waiting for the good weather to come so he could get out in the yard, but his cancer was impacting him too much to get much done around the house and he was not content with that.

Dad beat to his own drum and wasn’t influenced by anyone. He did what he wanted and on his timeline. He lived life his way, it wasn’t complex or full of stuff, he was content with what he had and wanted for nothing more, it was as simple as that.

We would like to give a special thank you to Dad’s dear friends who did so much for him when he needed them the most.

To Fintan and Lisa Maloney, thank you for your unwavering support to Dad (and mom) over the years. He loved to see you coming across the yard for a chat and a smoke (or six).

To Christina and his second favourite son, Andy Walsh, you were both very special to Dad, and he knew he could rely on you when he needed anything—whether it was a quick checkup by his private nurse or his next candidate for next of kin - your support and friendship meant the world to him, his eyes lit up when you entered the room and Christina’s advice was always gospel to dad.

To Barb Carey, Ken White and Doris Butler – thank you for your countless trips up the pinch with food and treats for dad. He knew he could call you and you’d be there for him in a second.

To Sharon O’Reilly and Jeff Crocker, you two were Dad’s sidekicks, who he loved dearly and enjoyed every second of your visits. He treated Jeff like one of his own.

We love you Dad and we will remember you as a loving husband, devoted father, and proud grandfather. Your memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew you.

Thank-you to the Doctors and Nurses at the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Center for the great care they provided to dad over the years throughout his journey with cancer and to Dr. Thoms and Dr. Greenland for your compassion. A special thank you to Dr. Mercer for your support and especially for the house visits to make dad comfortable.

Resting at Ryan’s Funeral Home, Bay Bulls, visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 9, from 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm and Thursday, April 10, from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Bay Bulls on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 10:30 am with inurnment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Witless Bay. Immediately following the graveside service, everyone is invited to the Knights of Columbus Centre for a reception and a time of fellowship.

For those unable to attend, the funeral service will be livestreamed with the link available below.

Due to it being the season of Lent, no flowers by request. As expressions of sympathy donations can be made to the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre Foundation Newfoundland and Labrador or you can take a loved one out for an ice cream and have a few laughs.

Father…

Neither an anchor to hold us back,

nor a sail to take us there,

but always a guiding light whose love shows us the way.

“That’s it – End of Conversation”

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