Louis M. Colella, Farrell, PA passed away at 3:45 p.m. Monday, February 28, 2011 in his home. He was 75.

Mr. Colella is a native of Mahoningtown, Pennsylvania, and an alumnus of New Castle High School, Lou had the opportunity to begin his formal musical education by virtue of his candidacy for the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship Scholarship. Exploiting this opportunity, in 1961 he received a Bachelor Degree in Music Education from Youngstown State University's Dana School of Music, and was assistant band director at YSU during his time there.

One week after marrying the love of his life, Jeanette Giovanelli, Lou was called to serve in the U.S. Army as a woodwind instructor at the Naval School of Music (1961-1963). While serving, Lou continued to hone his musical prowess and performed with the Army jazz and concert bands. After discharge in 1967, he worked to earn his Master's Degree in Music Education at Duquesne University.

After his stay in the Army, Lou supported his wife and three sons through his work as a woodwind instructor at the Marks Music Store and beginning his career in music education as band director at Hubbard High School from 1963 to 1966. He next followed James Scanga as director of bands at Farrell Area Schools from 1966 to 1993. During his fulfilling tenure with Farrell, Lou put his excess musical educational passions and energy to work as an adjunct woodwind instructor at Grove City College and Westminster Universities. After his retirement from Farrell Area Schools in 1993, Lou continued to teach conducting and woodwind students at the college level at Grove City College and Westminster University. In addition, Lou served as guest conductor of the various PMEA District 5 festivals over the past 15 years. His career touched the lives of many students and music professionals in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio and he will be sadly missed. Lou's performance career was act!

ive and diverse. He performed as guest soloist with Grove City & Westminster Colleges, as well as Poland (Ohio) and West Middlesex High Schools. He performed with many various bands in Mercer, Lawrence, Mahoning and Trumbull Counties, such as the Al Colella's Dance Band, the Dante DeThomas Dance Band, Chuck Farone's Dance Band, Carmen Mico's Dance Band, Joe Sylvester's Dance Band, Joe Cann's Dance Band, Ed Telega's Combo, Marks Concert Band, Packard Concert Band, YSU Alumni Concert Band, Blue Coat Concert Band, Riverside String Quartet, Westminster Woodwind Quintet, various Westminster College Opera performances & Jazz Quintet, the Shenango Valley Chorale, Covenant Presbyterian Chorale and numerous high school musical productions. Family was always a constant in his life. His 49 year marriage to the former Jean Giovanelli blessed Lou with 3 sons and three special daughters-in-law, Louis and his wife Lynann; Mark and his wife Tracy; and Chris and his wife Theresa. God blesse!

d Lou and Jean with 8 grandchildren; Gianna, Victor, Gino, Angela, Mark, Christopher, Alaina, Dominic.

Louis was pre-deceased by his father and mother, Louis and Jennie (DeVivo) Colella, his brothers, Vito and Albert. His sister and brother-in-law Mary and Amerigo Ruozzo. His nephews, Michael and Philip Colella.

Calling hours will be from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2011 in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, March 4, 2011, in St. Adalbert's Church, Fruit Ave., Farrell, with the Rev. Daniel Kresinski, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment: Holy Cross Cemetery, Hermitage, with military honors rendered by the W. Middlesex VFW and the Wheatland American Legion Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the: Louis M. Colella Memorial Music Scholarship, in care of the Shenango Valley Foundation, 33 Chestnut St. Sharon PA, 16146