Louis J. DiLullo

Louis (Lou) J. DiLullo, 83, of Palmer Twp., PA passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Born September 11, 1942 in Paterson, NJ, Lou lived his life committed to service, education and purpose; to character and integrity; and to faith, family and country.

He attended Montclair State College where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Arts in 1965, Kutztown State College where he earned his master’s degree in Guidance in 1971, and Rider University where he earned his Principal Certificate in 1976.

Lou’s career was focused on educating and mentoring future generations. Lou spent his professional life in education at Delaware Valley Regional High School (Frenchtown, NJ), where he served as an Industrial Arts teacher from 1972 to 1988 and as Assistant Principal from 1989 until his retirement in 2007. He was active in supporting students in both academics and in athletics, in the performing arts and in service to the community, teaching compassion and humility along the way.

Lou was selected as one of the State of New Jersey’s “Outstanding Teachers” by the Governor's Teacher Recognition Program in 1987. Also, during his tenure, Lou stewarded the Delaware Valley Senior Citizens Scholarship Trust, established through an anonymous donation. It is estimated that this program awarded nearly one million dollars in college scholarships to Delaware Valley students.

While he coached many sports throughout his career at Del Val, he found his love in coaching the girls cross country and track teams, and was selected as Coach of the Year in 1987 and 1988. To honor his legacy, Del Val established the Louis DiLullo Character Award in 2018 recognizing students-athletes who embody high moral character, positive attitude, and school spirit.

Lou found his passion for running, participating in the Long Beach Island 18-miler and the Marine Corp Marathon, and taking his student athletes to Green Mountain Running Camp in Vermont. He also enjoyed playing tennis well into retirement.

Lou proudly served our country in the United States Naval Reserves for nearly 30 years. Lou enlisted in the United States Navy in 1964 and reported for flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola (FL). Throughout his Naval career, Lou was stationed at NAS Patuxent River (MD), NAS Quonset Point (RI), NAS Lakehurst (NJ), and NAS Willow Grove (PA), the latter of which he served as the Commanding Officer of Patrol Squadron 64 from 1982 to 1984. He retired from the Naval Reserves at the rank of Captain in 1991. After retiring, his love of flying kept Lou in the air. He could often be found serving on volunteer missions for the Pennsylvania Civil Air Patrol and piloting small airplanes from Van Zant Airport.

Lou traveled the world through his military career and personal family trips. Some of his favorite destinations included the islands of the Azores, Bermuda, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks, Alaska, St. Petersburg Beach (FL), Normandy, France, and Capracotta, Italy. Of all the places Lou traveled to, many of his most cherished days were spent watching the sunset in Beach Haven, New Jersey.

Lou enjoyed spending time with family, especially his grandchildren, traveling, reading, and woodworking. A master craftsman and handyman, Lou could often be found working in his yard, making and staining furniture, and crafting or fixing clocks. Along with his wife, he proudly ran the Knock on Wood furniture store in Phillipsburg, NJ for a number of years. He was proud of his craftsmanship, which adorned his home, and he was known to give handmade clocks, furniture and other handmade gifts to his friends and family.

In all aspects of life, Lou was intentional about helping others, providing mentorship, friendship, and support, with compassion and an attentive ear. Lou worked to instill a positive spirit in others, especially his students, and could often be counted on to create laughter, joy, and connection.

He was affectionately known as “Louie” to his friends and family, “Mr. D” to his students, “Coach D” to his athletes, “Captain D” to his military friends, “Dad” to his two daughters and “Poppy” to his two grandchildren.

Louis is the son of the late Major League Baseball Scout Ralph DiLullo and Rosalie (Portelli) DiLullo, brother to Ralph (Jodie) and sister to the late Patricia DiLullo-Vogel (Ronald).

Louis is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Diane (Lourake) DiLullo and their two daughters, Jennifer DiLullo Butler and her husband, Tony of Wilmington, NC; Elizabeth DiLullo Brown and her husband, Scott of Lewisburg, PA; and grandchildren, Andrew Louis and Emma, and nephews and nieces that he loved dearly.

Louis will be recognized with military honors at the National Cemetery at Washington’s Crossing (Newtown, PA) on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 11:30 AM. Arrangements are entrusted to Morello Funeral Home, Inc., 3720 Nicholas Street, Easton, PA (Palmer Twp.). Online condolences may be offered at www.morellofuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Lou’s memory to: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777, or the Fisher House Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 791598, Baltimore, MD 21279.