Individual

Go to List of Family Names Go to List of People < Previous Next >

AGNES Louis
Birth:          11 Feb 1917 Philadelphia, Pa.
Death:          4 Jun 2014 Philadelphia, Pa.

Notes
MasiFamTree2019 on ancestry
Penna Federal Naturalization Records on ancestry, occ carpenter
ww2 draft reg on ancestry
AGNES LOUIS, June 4, 2014. Beloved husband of the late Rita (nee Adelizzi), 
devoted father of Beverlea (Karl) Auer and Jay (Diane) Agnes, grandfather of James 
(Elizabeth) Auer, April (Dr. Michael) Steidle, Dean J. Auer and Gabriella Agnes, great 
grandfather of Justin, Emily, Bella, Emmalena, and James Dean Steidle, brother of Mae 
(Dr.Patrick) Pasquariello. Also survived by his many loving nieces and nephews. Louis 
was President of P. Agnes Builders of Philadelphia. Relatives and friends are invited 
to his VIEWING SATURDAY 9 A.M. at The Church of St. Rita of Cascia, 1166 St. 
Broad St. (Broad and Ellsworth Sts.). Followed by his Funeral Mass at 11 A.M. 
Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers family requests contributions be made to 
The National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia. Expressions of Sympathy 
www.montiragofuneralhome.com
Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) and Philadelphia Daily News (PA) - Friday, June 6, 
2014
---
Louis Agnes, 97, ran one of the region's major building firms

Philadelphia Daily News (PA) - Friday, June 6, 2014

LOUIS AGNES didn't hesitate to get his hands dirty.



From the time he was old enough to pick up a hammer, he worked in the small 
construction company founded in 1918 by his father, Pellegrino Agnes, an Italian 
immigrant.

He worked side by side with his father as they sought to make a success of the 
struggling company, always keeping in mind the values of honesty and hard work that 
would characterize the family and the company through the decades.

Today, P. Agnes Builders is one of the region's most prominent and busiest 
construction companies, with numerous multimillion-dollar projects.

Much of its success is attributed to the vision and organizational qualities of Louis 
Agnes, his family said.

Louis Agnes, who led the company for more than 30 years, a community activist, Navy 
veteran of World War II and devoted family patriarch, died Wednesday. He was 97 
and lived in South Philadelphia.

"Lou Agnes was that rare individual, a man of extraordinary vision, leadership and 
dedication who happily shared his experience and expertise in a quiet, thoughtful 
manner," his family said. "We are grateful to have had him in our lives."

As Lou was working in his father's company, his family made sacrifices to see to it that 
he got a college education. He graduated from Penn State University with a degree in 
architectural engineering.

Lou's career was interrupted by World War II. He entered the Navy in 1942. He 
served as port director in Curacao and also served in Pearl Harbor, Okinawa and 
Tokyo.

After his discharge in 1946, he rejoined the family business and set about expanding 
the company to what it is today.

Lou grew up in South Philadelphia. His mother was Anna Agnes. He graduated from 
South Philadelphia High School.

When he started working for his father's company, it was largely devoted to residential 
work. A kitchen-remodeling job was a big event.

Gradually, under his leadership, it moved into commercial projects. One of its most 
recent jobs was a $325 million patient tower for Lankenau Hospital with 96 beds and a 
heart and vascular pavilion.

It also recently renovated the University of Pennsylvania's famed Palestra and the 
Hutchinson Gymnasium, a $22 million job.

His son, Jay Agnes, who now runs the company, said his father always insisted on 
strict ethical standards, with an emphasis on bringing in the jobs on or under schedule 
with no cost overruns.

"Dad always said if you want respect, you have to give respect," Jay said. "He was 
kind and compassionate, but he was a strict disciplinarian. He could be tough."

Jay said his father was still coming into the office into his 90s. In fact, he said, he was 
in the office just six weeks ago.

Lou Agnes was active in his community as well as in his business. He served on the 
board of Boy Scouts of America and the Philadelphia chapter of UNICO National, an 
Italian-American service organization.

He also was on the boards of the Methodist Hospital Foundation and Prudential 
Savings & Loan.

He was a founding member of the National Society of Architectural Engineers and the 
Penn State Alumni Association.

For relaxation, Lou enjoyed golfing. He was a lifetime member of the Llanerch Country 
Club in Delaware County.

Besides his son, he is survived by a daughter, Beverlea Auer; a sister, Mae 
Pasquariello; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by 
his wife, the former Rita Adelizzi.

Services: Funeral Mass 11 a.m. tomorrow at the Church of St. Rita of Cascia, 1166 S. 
Broad St. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the National Shrine of St. Rita of 
Cascia, 1166 S. Broad St., Philadelphia PA 19146.
Philadelphia Daily News (PA) - Friday, June 6, 2014
Philadelphia, Pa., Marr Idx on ancestry

Parents
AGNES Pellegrino (6 May 1893 - Mar 1983)
TROMBETTA Basolina (Anna) (15 May 1898 - Jun 1985)

Siblings
AGNES Louis (11 Feb 1917 - 4 Jun 2014)
AGNES Domenica (Mae) (24 Apr 1931 - 13 Oct 2019)

Marriage To ADELIZZI Rita C. () m. 1941 Philadelphia, Pa. Notes Children by ADELIZZI Rita C.
AGNES Beverlea () AGNES Louis Jay (Jay) ()
Produced by Fzip 1.7 12/27/2024