Louis Manief Solomon

Louis Manief Solomon, 94, died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by loving family at the New Hampshire Veterans Home in Tilton, N.H., on March 31.

The son of Annie and David Solomon, he was born in Irwin, Pennsylvania, on May 19, 1929.

He enlisted in the Air Force in 1950, just two years out of high school, serving for four years during the Korean War. 

He served as a supply sergeant in the PX at Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine, near New Brunswick, Canada. 

In 1953, he met the woman who would become the love of his life, Marcelle (Deschenes) Solomon. They were married for 57 years until her death in 2011.

They retired to Vero Beach, Florida in 1994 and purchased a gift shop they operated for 10 years. They enjoyed occasional cruises and trips to Atlantic City. After Marcelle’s death, Lou moved to New Hampshire to live with his son David in Nashua.

He enjoyed a successful career as an insurance salesman, eventually becoming a general agent for Horace Mann, first in Northern Maine and later in the Portland area. 

“Lou” or “Big Lou” was best known as a “kidder” who was always ready with a joke. He was profiled in the Horace Mann newsletter in 1989 under the headline “Humor Helps Solomon Find his Niche.” The author wrote, “He’s the type of guy who kiddingly asks people if they’d like to buy war bonds. Whether they exist or not is not the point. Lou just likes to make people smile.”

He was an avid news junkie and big sports fan, particularly when it came to his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a creative storyteller who was always weaving tales of his youth and military years for his children and grandchildren, who knew him as “Pappy.”

In addition to his wife, Marcelle, and his parents, he was predeceased by brothers Sam and Joe, and sisters Martha and Annie. He is survived by a brother George, now living in Florida.

He is also survived by three sons, David Solomon and his wife Penelope, Louis Paul Solomon, and Richard Solomon and his wife Karin; three grandsons, Matthew Solomon and his wife Elizabeth, Bradley Solomon, and Paul Solomon; and three great-granddaughters, Jewel, Harper and Hayden Solomon.

Lou was honored with a Final Salute at the New Hampshire Veterans Home, and a private celebration of his life for family members at the Main Street United Methodist Church in Nashua.

Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the New Hampshire Veterans Home, where he was loved and cared for during the last eight years of his life, 139 Winter St., Tilton, N.H., 03276.