Lou Alessi, Alessi Holsters Passed away February 21,2009

[fusselman]

Am sorry to let you know, Luigi passed away yesterday after a long illness. Lou was my friend for over 25 years. I spoke with him a couple of weeks ago, he sounded very tired, not like the firecracker he was.... such a giant, such a loss!

Lou Alessi was the dean of custom concealment holsters, a master craftsman, designer, maker. His were of insightful design, flawless execution of the finest leather, hand boned, perfectly stitched, elegant.

Made for the professional, Lou's holsters were worn and revered by folks at both ends of the spectrum who made their living with a gun. From Alaskan Bush pilots carrying his renouned Fieldmaster, to sportsmen, street cops, plain clothes officers, undercover officers, narcs, security officers at the highest levels world wide, to Generals, Federal trappers, Rangers, field biologists, ordinary citizens, workin' cowboys, outdoorsmen and women, operators, spooks & "nefarious others", Lou hand made the finest holsters available. He honestly touched the lives of thousands. We will miss him.
Godspeed Luigi!

Lou affected many lives across this nation, his genius with holsters is respected everywhere, certainly by law enforcement officers, and professionals in and out of uniform who serve this nation.

Please share this news within the organizations of law enforcement professionals, and shooting community....and Lou's company, Alessi Holsters, is currently under contract to Department of Homeland Security for holsters.

If you can, please pass the word, anything you can do will be appreciated. Lou was a USAF Vietnam Vet.

Wednesday February 25th Funeral arrangements will be through Greco's Funeral Home, Kenmore, New York with Church services at St. Pius Catholic Church of Amherst, New York.

Local contact in Amherst :
Tom Kulwicki celphn 716-432-6410,
Email: [email protected]

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local news notice is shown below;
www.legacy.com/buffalonews/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=124452453
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please visit the website, www.louderthanwords.us

thanks for your efforts to get the word out.....jtf

 

[Old Fuff]

I was deeply shocked by the news because I didn't know that he'd been ill. He was indeed everything you said. I have forwarded the news to two of his friends. Thank you for posting this sad notice.

 

[DrLaw]

http://www.legacy.com/BuffaloNews/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=124452453

The Doc is out now.

 

[waterhouse]

Sorry to hear that. Prayers to his family.

 

[Legionnaire]

This is a great loss. I've been a fan of Alessi holsters for years, especially the Talon. Alway's stopped by the Alessi table at the Syracuse gun show when I lived in CNY. He'll be missed.

 

[makarovnik]

I will make a toast to him as soon as I'm done here.

 

[Erik]

RIP Mr. Alessi. The industry has lost one of its best.

 

[tazbigdog]

I do not get to this forum that much. A friend of mine told me today that Lou had died a couple of weeks ago.

When I goggled him, I was shocked to see his passing.

I met Lou for the first time in the late 90's and quick became a friend. Lou stood over my shoulder while I made my own IWB holster for my .45. Mike, his assistant, also helped me and I was amazed at the craftsmanship that went into each and every holster that bore his name.

Afterwards we went to the "Buffalo Wings" bar and tip back a few glasses and ate tons of wings.

Throughout the years, I corresponded with Lou about design and how his holsters (ankle, IWB, etc.) benefitted me in my job environment and have no doubt that these kept me alive during difficult encounters.

Lou, rest in peace my friend.

Jeff

 

[Wedge]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I hadn't had a chance to respond to this earlier. I heard the news when Lou had passed away from my in-laws (one of his neighbors) but was on a forum hiatus.

My inlaw's lived next door to Lou. I remember one summer after he had made me a holster (through my mother in law, she got it for me as a Christmas present), I happened to be jogging around the neighborhood and stopped to chat with him in person. He was a rare man and even though we had only briefly corresponded over email, when we were chatting for 10 minutes it was like we had known each other since H.S.

I am happy to have one of his holsters and happy that I had a chance to meet him in person. Whenever I strap my holster on I always think fondly of him.

RIP.