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displayfireworks1
02-20-2014, 09:54 AM
I just received word Lou Zambelli died Feb 18, 2014. Here is the obituary.
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Louis A. Zambelli Sr., 88, of Neshannock Township passed away the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, at his residence, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Feb. 15, 1926, in New Castle and was a son of the late Anthony and Mary Tuscano Zambelli. On Feb. 18, 1950, he married his wife, the former Diana F. Ferri. She preceded him in death Jan. 13, 2007. Mr. Zambelli proudly spent his entire working career with the family business, Zambelli Fireworks. He was a master pyrotechnician who was also involved in the manufacturing and making of the fireworks. His profession started in May 1946, until his retirement in December 2013. At the end of his career, he worked as a consultant for the company. His line of business took him all over the country and around the world twice, which included some very special exhibits. Mr. Zambelli had the pleasure of putting on displays for seven of our United States presidents, as well as for Pope John Paul II. Louis was an Army veteran, serving in the European theatre of World War II. He was a member of the 3rd company, serving under General George C. Patton as his mess sergeant. Mr. Zambelli enjoyed yard work and was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh sports teams. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather whose greatest joy was the time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a member of the American Legion Post 343, St. Vitus Church and the church's Holy Name Society. Louis is survived by two daughters, Linda Chrobak and her husband, Daniel, and Gina Zambelli, both of New Castle; a son, Louis A. Zambelli Jr. and his wife, Connie, of Rochester, N.Y.; and five grandchildren, Danielle Patton and her husband, Michael, Brian Chrobak, Louis A. Zambelli III, Dominic Zambelli and Mariel Zambelli. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Carmen Zambelli, Joseph Zambelli and George Zambelli; and three sisters, Rita Irace, Concetta Tommelleo and Annabelle Angelucci. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, and 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Ed and Don DeCarbo Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 3000 Wilmington Road. A procession will leave the funeral home at 9:15 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24, for St. Vitus Church where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. by the Rev. Nicholas Vaskov. Entombment will be in Castle View Memorial Gardens. Military rites will be provided at the cemetery Monday by the New Castle Area Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the American Legion Post 343. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.decarbofuneralhome.com.
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http://www.databution.com/pics/6368.jpg

jknepp1954
02-20-2014, 10:28 AM
I always enjoyed seeing him making shells, etc even after 80 yrs old in some old videos. He knew his stuff for sure.
The last of the older generation Zambelli's - R.I.P.

PyroJoeNEPA
02-20-2014, 12:02 PM
A great Master Pyrotechnican passed on....what a legacy he leaves behind.

PGH_Pyro
02-20-2014, 01:42 PM
he seemed like a really funny character .
think he was making shells right up til recently .
RIP

Coulterbart
02-20-2014, 06:05 PM
He was such an inspiration to our community. In his obituary it said he did displays for 7 presidents and a Pope. Wow!

RIP and prayers for his family.

displayfireworks1
02-21-2014, 10:21 AM
Here is a great video from a local radio person as he pays a visit to Zambelli Fireworks in New Castle Pennsylvania. If you slide to the 4:55 mark you will see Lou Zambelli , I believe I heard him say he was 85 years old in the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imtzGVaQQfE
http://photos.mycapture.com/PITT/1034373/30375481E.jpg
http://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/ZambelliByHand.jpg

PGH_Pyro
02-21-2014, 10:38 AM
He was a Pens fan which is great to know .

displayfireworks1
02-21-2014, 09:46 PM
I will be heading to the funeral home tomorrow with my wife. Here is one of my videos from December 14 , 2013. My original plan was to give this picture to Lou Zambelli and interview him. I think now I will give the picture to the family during my visit. You can see the picture in the beginning on this now unlisted video. I think the picture is kind of cool , it appear to be from the late 60's. You can see all three Zambelli Brothers in the picture. I talked with one of my older Italian pyro friends, he told me he did visit Lou and they talked about all the old fun times in fireworks they had over the years. I believe Lou's son arranged the visit when he knew Lou was ill. Of the three Zambelli brothers I am not sure what year Joe died but I know George died Christmas Day 2003 and now Lou. I always admired Lou as a hard working original fireworks man, with a ton of great stories to tell.
Here is now unlisted video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwXeVtY9zzA
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Here is another video I have with Lou Zambelli in it, it is from a local news event here is Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVUHCdHiZc0
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Here is the only video I have about the death of George Zambelli sr.
This video is from 2004.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmph7hx58LY

PGH_Pyro
02-21-2014, 09:50 PM
shot of him working a barge show here in Pittsburgh
498

displayfireworks1
02-23-2014, 12:19 AM
I went to the funeral home today and gave the family the picture. I just wish I would have made the time to see Lou before his death. His daughter said he would have really enjoyed it. This video is currently unlisted I plan to add to it before it goes public. I spoke with Lou's son, the family may be giving me a video collage that was playing in the funeral home. It was cool and I think it would be a great addition to my video. If that does not come through, I will add video that is available from the interne and release it public. I always thought Lou was a great guy.
Here is part of a future video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH5OPs3WYPY

Donnbishop
02-23-2014, 07:55 PM
That was a very nice gesture.

displayfireworks1
02-28-2014, 10:15 PM
Here is the final video that went public February 27, 2014. When I heard Lou Zambelli died I regretted not making the time to visit him in December 2013. I also felt if anyone had to make a video to remember him it had to be me. Its funny how it all played out once I purchased the picture on ebay.
Public video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw9KGIBqW9Y

displayfireworks1
03-01-2014, 10:17 PM
Analytics on Lou Zambelli video from YouTube after three days.
By country and number for first 48 hours after posting


United States
587
Germany
80
United Kingdom
25
Netherlands
41
Puerto Rico
7
Australia
13
Canada
11
France
16
Poland
14
Serbia
3
Spain
5
Norway
5
Denmark
8
Malaysia
2
Slovenia
3
Taiwan
6
Italy
9
Lithuania
8
Belgiu
1
Russia
5
New Zealand
2
Switzerland
3
Austria
7
Sweden
5
Japan
2
Mexico
4
Romania
2
Malta
1
Luxembourg
2
Slovakia
1
Philippines
2
Hungary
1
Finland
1
Greece
2
Czech Republic
4
Latvia
1
Indonesia
1
Chile
1
Belarus
1
Argentina
1
Ukraine
3
Thailand
1
Venezuela
1
Vietnam
1
Turkey
1
Ireland
3
India
6
Saudi Arabia
24

displayfireworks1
03-06-2014, 08:05 PM
Information for those that may be curious.
Analytics YouTube Lou Zambelli video first 7 days "Likes" and "Dislikes" and location.
Likes left number and dislike right number
United States
29 1
Germany
5 0
Netherlands
4 0
Serbia
3 0
India
2 0
Canada
2 0
Russia
2 0
Puerto Rico
1 0
Czech Republic
1 0
Kenya
1 0
United Kingdom
1 1
Colombia
1 0
Israel
1 0
Malaysia
1 0
Romania
1 0
Brazil
1 0
France
1 0
Peru
1 0
South Korea
1 0
Estonia
1 0
Argentina
1 0
Switzerland
1 0
Egypt
1 0
Vietnam
1 0
Taiwan
1 0
Indonesia
0 1

displayfireworks1
10-18-2014, 05:29 PM
I am bring this post back to update it. I mentioned the passing of his brother Joseph Zambelli but was unsure of the year etc. I just received a link from one of my youtube subscribers about the event. I will post it here to add to the post..
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http://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/16/obituaries/joseph-zambelli-pyrotechnist-80.html
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Joseph Zambelli, Pyrotechnist, 80

AP
Published: May 16, 1988
Joseph Zambelli, who put together fireworks displays for Presidential inaugurations, the Statue of Liberty centennial and other national celebrations, died of a heart attack Thursday at his home here. He was 80 years old.

Mr. Zambelli was vice president of production for the family company, Zambelli International America.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, two sons, Anthony, of New Castle, and John, of Pittsburgh, two brothers and two sisters.