Luciano "Lou" Lamberti

Luciano "Lou" Lamberti age 87, of Highland Park passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2026. He was born on July 3, 1938, in Corsica, France. His mother, Concetta, told him that the church bells rang when she held him for the first time. In 1943, he moved with his mother and father, Giacomo, to Casa Minelli, a farming village located in Piandelagotti, Italy. His many adventures in Italy included hiding in the woods with his family when Nazis invaded and convincing dozens of people to walk for miles as part of an elaborate April Fool’s Day prank.

In 1958, Lou saw his first movie. It inspired him to emigrate to America. In the months before his departure, he rarely smiled or spoke. He told everyone he was trying to be more like the star of the film, Clint Eastwood. In truth, he was devastated to leave his parents and siblings, Lido (Liliana), Romana (Fabio), Graziano (Marina), and Maria (Bruno). Eventually, they all moved to the North Shore, where they spent decades building memories and remodeling their homes.

Upon arriving in the Highland Park area, Lou worked as a milkman, dishwasher, ice cream scooper, and landscaper. In 1961, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he earned his GED. Soon after, he met his future wife, Linda, at a dance. They waltzed through life together for over 55 years, during which time Lou used his VA benefits to earn a certificate in computer science.

At the age of 40, Lou began running and skiing. He completed 17 marathons, three Marcialongas (45-mile Italian ski races), and 15 Birkebeiners (37-mile Wisconsin ski races). He regularly referred to himself as, “The Macho Man.”

Lou was an active member of the Modenese Club and the Sister Cities Foundation of Highland Park.

Lou and Linda had two daughters, Julie (Tom) and Patty (Dan). Lou’s favorite times were spent with his family, which eventually grew to include Julie’s three children, Ethan, Lucas, and Julian, and Patty’s daughter, Vivian.

Lou fought Parkinson’s for over 25 years, like the Macho Man he was. During those decades, he traveled to Italy, attended the Olympics, wrote his memoir, Piandelagotti Non Si Arrende, and exercised daily.

He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Graziano. During his last years, he was lovingly cared for by his wife; his siblings and their spouses; his daughters and sons-in-law; his grandchildren; nieces and nephews; friends; and many caregivers, especially his favorite, Bercel.

Lou only attended school until eighth grade but told everyone he graduated from the “University of Piandelagotti.” Although no such college ever existed, life in Piandelagotti taught Lou the lessons he always lived by—put family first, work hard, and have some laughs.

Visitation Friday, March 20, 2026 from 9:00 A.M. until time of funeral mass 10:00 A.M. at Christ Our Hope Parish, St. James Church campus, 134 North Avenue, Highwood. Rev. Hernan Cuevas, celebrant. Entombment will follow at Ascension Catholic Cemetery, 1920 Buckley Road, Libertyville, Illinois.

The family requests that you honor Lou by having a few laughs today with your loved ones. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

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