Dr. Louis John Traficante, age 66, of Shohola, PA, died on Friday, April 10, 2015 at home surrounded by his family. He was the loving husband of Eileen (Casey) Traficante.
Louis was born in Trenton, New Jersey, and was the son of Joseph and Dora (Calario) Traficante and younger brother to Joseph Traficante. He resided in New Jersey and attended Steinert High School until enrolling at Long Island University where he earned his Bachelors of Science. He graduated with a Master’s Degree in Chemistry from New York University, and achieved his PhD in Neuro BioChemistry from Rutgers University. He also achieved a post doctorate in Neurochemistry at Bellevue Hospital in New York. Lou was a licensed Laboratory Director in Massachusetts, Nevada, Florida and New York, and was a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Toxicologists. He was qualified in toxicology as an expert witness in 22 courts, and published 33 papers on various topics.
Lou started his career as an Assistant Professor at NYU Medical Center/Bellevue Hospital in the Neuropsychopharmacology Research Unit. After moving to Massachusetts, he was an Associate Professor of Biochemistry at Boston University Medical Center as well as the Director of various laboratories. He started at Willow Street Medical Laboratory in 1997 as Lab Director and lectured throughout the country on drug testing and toxicology. In addition, he was Lab Director/Consultant for Calloway Laboratories. Lou’s latest endeavor came in the early part of 2011, alongside the prior owner of Willow Labs and the prior owner’s son, as Lab Director of an independent diagnostic laboratory named Commonwealth Laboratories, Inc. Dr. Traficante was an integral part of Commonwealth’s success and his contribution will remain forever unmatched.
Lou met his wife Eileen at NYU and they married on October 6, 1973 at Saint Michael’s Chapel at Rutgers University. Lou raised his family in Kingston, MA and attended North River Community Church where he played the drums in the church services band. Lou was a true family man who enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, and cherished the many family vacations over the years.
Lou was extremely creative and had many hobbies including painting, poetry, sculpting, model airplanes, firearms, and rockets. Music was his passion and Lou loved playing the drums, piano, violin, guitar, and the flute. He played in many bands throughout his life, but most recently was the founder and lead drummer of the band Vehicle.
Lou is survived by his wife Eileen; brother, Joseph Traficante and his wife Susan; daughter, Jennifer Porrata & husband Rick; daughter, Lisa Richard and husband Matthew; son, David Traficante and fiancé Emily Franklin; and his grandsons, Dominic and Noah Louis Porrata.
Visiting hours will be at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main Street, (Route 106), Kingston, MA, on Thursday, April 16, 2015, from 4:00-8:00 PM.
Funeral services will be held at North River Community Church, 334 Old Oak Street, Pembroke, MA, on Friday, April 17, 2015, at 11:00 AM.
Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery, Green Street, Kingston, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Gift Administration and Donor Services, Attn: Dr. Ingo Mellinghoff, P.O. Box 27106, New York, NY 10087.
“He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life” John 5:24