Lou "LP" Cvelbar, formerly of Hermitage, passed away on Feb. 24, 2021, at the age of 66.
Lou was born on Aug. 27, 1954, in Sharon to Louis and Sophia Cvelbar.
He was a graduate of Hickory High School, Youngstown State University, and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
Lou loved baseball and could play most positions. His favorite was second base but he excelled, later in his working career, as the third-baseman in the local softball league. With a "cannon" for an arm, he was a force to be reckoned with by any offense. To watch him catch a frozen rope or ground "blooper" from the left side, jump up, do a 180, and then fire off to second, or first base, was a thing of beauty. No one ever could record a hit when he was on defense if the ball came his way.
From boyhood to a young man playing in local summer leagues, he was often scouted by professionals who followed him all the way through to college at YSU until a knee injury ended the potential of a spot to possibly play in the Major Leagues.
Lou was a devoted Cleveland Indians fan his entire life. As one local stated, when you are born in the Shenango Valley, you immediately must choose, after your first breath, to be either an Indians or a Pirates fan. For football, he was a Steelers fan. "No real Western Pa. man could be anything but."
Lou had two license plates covers, one for each team. As the season for either team was drawing towards playoffs, depending on their failure at playoff time, he would abruptly get off his favorite chair knowing the inevitable loss, toss out a few choice expletives, and immediately change his license cover to the next team's upcoming season.
If you ever needed to know a statistic on any team, football or baseball, especially final scores and players of any Super Bowl or World Series, he could answer you in light speed. Mid-life, he took up the game of golf, spending several afternoons, and every Sunday, on the course trying to hone his skills, as testified to by the five sets of clubs in his garage.
As a young man Lou followed in his father's footsteps entering the retail jewelry business, L&C Jewelers (the letters standing for Lysohir and Cvelbar). Lou completed his Graduate Gemologist degree (G.G.) while working at the GIA's Gem Trade Laboratory as a diamond grader in New York City in the heart of the Diamond District. In 1981, he transferred to GIA's West Coast Los Angeles Laboratory as Head Supervisor. It was there he met Sally Ehmke and the two were married at Las Vegas in 1986. As those who attended often remarked years later, "that was the best wedding ever."
In 1988, Lou resigned from his position at GIA to strike out on his own. He worked with several local wholesale diamond dealers, and eventually partnered with a South African Master diamond cutter. By that time, Lou had become well known for his knowledge of recutting diamonds to improve their quality, and together with his partner, it was a successful union. In time, they dissolved their partnership and Lou went on to consult for two high profile wholesale and manufacturing companies in Los Angeles. With the advent of online shopping, he often would say with disdain. "Everyone's an expert." when in fact very few individuals possessed his level of expertise and breadth of knowledge.
For the past 34 years, Lou lived in Granada Hills, Calif., with his wife Sally. Together they spent many extraordinary times traveling to parts of the world, various parts of America to be with friends and family, or to see the wonders of the National Parks, and at least several times a year, returned to Vegas (aficionados never use the precedent "Las") just to escape for a few days during their working careers.
No one was more fun or more of a pleasure to be with when traveling with Lou. He turned small talk with strangers into fine art.
Lou was a big student of history. He voraciously read three newspapers a day, especially the sports section. He kept close contact with his great friends, many from his hometown and college as well as those he made during his working career. The outpouring of love and respect from them upon learning of his passing was and has been truly amazing. He is proud and humbled by them all. You know who you are, as does he.
Lou fought the good fight all through the past year and up to his earthly passing with his wife by his side. Departed from our sight too soon but never absent from our thoughts or memories.
Lou was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Gloria; and infant sister, Nancy.
Lou is survived by his wife, Sally Ehmke; his cousin, Linda Lysohir Carine and her husband Jeff, and their two daughters, Anne and Mandy; and many cousins.
The family requests anyone wishing to express their thoughts monetarily to please do so in one of the three ways: buy yourself a great dinner and toast to Lou, donate to the St. John's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Sharon, Pa., or donate to the John Wayne Cancer Center in Santa Monica, Calif.
LPC,
I am so beyond grateful you came into my life. You have my heart and all my love forever.
Lou was born on Aug. 27, 1954, in Sharon to Louis and Sophia Cvelbar.
He was a graduate of Hickory High School, Youngstown State University, and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
Lou loved baseball and could play most positions. His favorite was second base but he excelled, later in his working career, as the third-baseman in the local softball league. With a "cannon" for an arm, he was a force to be reckoned with by any offense. To watch him catch a frozen rope or ground "blooper" from the left side, jump up, do a 180, and then fire off to second, or first base, was a thing of beauty. No one ever could record a hit when he was on defense if the ball came his way.
From boyhood to a young man playing in local summer leagues, he was often scouted by professionals who followed him all the way through to college at YSU until a knee injury ended the potential of a spot to possibly play in the Major Leagues.
Lou was a devoted Cleveland Indians fan his entire life. As one local stated, when you are born in the Shenango Valley, you immediately must choose, after your first breath, to be either an Indians or a Pirates fan. For football, he was a Steelers fan. "No real Western Pa. man could be anything but."
Lou had two license plates covers, one for each team. As the season for either team was drawing towards playoffs, depending on their failure at playoff time, he would abruptly get off his favorite chair knowing the inevitable loss, toss out a few choice expletives, and immediately change his license cover to the next team's upcoming season.
If you ever needed to know a statistic on any team, football or baseball, especially final scores and players of any Super Bowl or World Series, he could answer you in light speed. Mid-life, he took up the game of golf, spending several afternoons, and every Sunday, on the course trying to hone his skills, as testified to by the five sets of clubs in his garage.
As a young man Lou followed in his father's footsteps entering the retail jewelry business, L&C Jewelers (the letters standing for Lysohir and Cvelbar). Lou completed his Graduate Gemologist degree (G.G.) while working at the GIA's Gem Trade Laboratory as a diamond grader in New York City in the heart of the Diamond District. In 1981, he transferred to GIA's West Coast Los Angeles Laboratory as Head Supervisor. It was there he met Sally Ehmke and the two were married at Las Vegas in 1986. As those who attended often remarked years later, "that was the best wedding ever."
In 1988, Lou resigned from his position at GIA to strike out on his own. He worked with several local wholesale diamond dealers, and eventually partnered with a South African Master diamond cutter. By that time, Lou had become well known for his knowledge of recutting diamonds to improve their quality, and together with his partner, it was a successful union. In time, they dissolved their partnership and Lou went on to consult for two high profile wholesale and manufacturing companies in Los Angeles. With the advent of online shopping, he often would say with disdain. "Everyone's an expert." when in fact very few individuals possessed his level of expertise and breadth of knowledge.
For the past 34 years, Lou lived in Granada Hills, Calif., with his wife Sally. Together they spent many extraordinary times traveling to parts of the world, various parts of America to be with friends and family, or to see the wonders of the National Parks, and at least several times a year, returned to Vegas (aficionados never use the precedent "Las") just to escape for a few days during their working careers.
No one was more fun or more of a pleasure to be with when traveling with Lou. He turned small talk with strangers into fine art.
Lou was a big student of history. He voraciously read three newspapers a day, especially the sports section. He kept close contact with his great friends, many from his hometown and college as well as those he made during his working career. The outpouring of love and respect from them upon learning of his passing was and has been truly amazing. He is proud and humbled by them all. You know who you are, as does he.
Lou fought the good fight all through the past year and up to his earthly passing with his wife by his side. Departed from our sight too soon but never absent from our thoughts or memories.
Lou was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Gloria; and infant sister, Nancy.
Lou is survived by his wife, Sally Ehmke; his cousin, Linda Lysohir Carine and her husband Jeff, and their two daughters, Anne and Mandy; and many cousins.
The family requests anyone wishing to express their thoughts monetarily to please do so in one of the three ways: buy yourself a great dinner and toast to Lou, donate to the St. John's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Sharon, Pa., or donate to the John Wayne Cancer Center in Santa Monica, Calif.
LPC,
I am so beyond grateful you came into my life. You have my heart and all my love forever.
Lou "LP" Cvelbar, formerly of Hermitage, passed away on Feb. 24, 2021, at the age of 66.
Lou was born on Aug. 27, 1954, in Sharon to Louis and Sophia Cvelbar.
He was a graduate of Hickory High School, Youngstown State University, and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
Lou loved baseball and could play most positions. His favorite was second base but he excelled, later in his working career, as the third-baseman in the local softball league. With a "cannon" for an arm, he was a force to be reckoned with by any offense. To watch him catch a frozen rope or ground "blooper" from the left side, jump up, do a 180, and then fire off to second, or first base, was a thing of beauty. No one ever could record a hit when he was on defense if the ball came his way.
From boyhood to a young man playing in local summer leagues, he was often scouted by professionals who followed him all the way through to college at YSU until a knee injury ended the potential of a spot to possibly play in the Major Leagues.
Lou was a devoted Cleveland Indians fan his entire life. As one local stated, when you are born in the Shenango Valley, you immediately must choose, after your first breath, to be either an Indians or a Pirates fan. For football, he was a Steelers fan. "No real Western Pa. man could be anything but."
Lou had two license plates covers, one for each team. As the season for either team was drawing towards playoffs, depending on their failure at playoff time, he would abruptly get off his favorite chair knowing the inevitable loss, toss out a few choice expletives, and immediately change his license cover to the next team's upcoming season.
If you ever needed to know a statistic on any team, football or baseball, especially final scores and players of any Super Bowl or World Series, he could answer you in light speed. Mid-life, he took up the game of golf, spending several afternoons, and every Sunday, on the course trying to hone his skills, as testified to by the five sets of clubs in his garage.
As a young man Lou followed in his father's footsteps entering the retail jewelry business, L&C Jewelers (the letters standing for Lysohir and Cvelbar). Lou completed his Graduate Gemologist degree (G.G.) while working at the GIA's Gem Trade Laboratory as a diamond grader in New York City in the heart of the Diamond District. In 1981, he transferred to GIA's West Coast Los Angeles Laboratory as Head Supervisor. It was there he met Sally Ehmke and the two were married at Las Vegas in 1986. As those who attended often remarked years later, "that was the best wedding ever."
In 1988, Lou resigned from his position at GIA to strike out on his own. He worked with several local wholesale diamond dealers, and eventually partnered with a South African Master diamond cutter. By that time, Lou had become well known for his knowledge of recutting diamonds to improve their quality, and together with his partner, it was a successful union. In time, they dissolved their partnership and Lou went on to consult for two high profile wholesale and manufacturing companies in Los Angeles. With the advent of online shopping, he often would say with disdain. "Everyone's an expert." when in fact very few individuals possessed his level of expertise and breadth of knowledge.
For the past 34 years, Lou lived in Granada Hills, Calif., with his wife Sally. Together they spent many extraordinary times traveling to parts of the world, various parts of America to be with friends and family, or to see the wonders of the National Parks, and at least several times a year, returned to Vegas (aficionados never use the precedent "Las") just to escape for a few days during their working careers.
No one was more fun or more of a pleasure to be with when traveling with Lou. He turned small talk with strangers into fine art.
Lou was a big student of history. He voraciously read three newspapers a day, especially the sports section. He kept close contact with his great friends, many from his hometown and college as well as those he made during his working career. The outpouring of love and respect from them upon learning of his passing was and has been truly amazing. He is proud and humbled by them all. You know who you are, as does he.
Lou fought the good fight all through the past year and up to his earthly passing with his wife by his side. Departed from our sight too soon but never absent from our thoughts or memories.
Lou was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Gloria; and infant sister, Nancy.
Lou is survived by his wife, Sally Ehmke; his cousin, Linda Lysohir Carine and her husband Jeff, and their two daughters, Anne and Mandy; and many cousins.
The family requests anyone wishing to express their thoughts monetarily to please do so in one of the three ways: buy yourself a great dinner and toast to Lou, donate to the St. John's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Sharon, Pa., or donate to the John Wayne Cancer Center in Santa Monica, Calif.
LPC,
I am so beyond grateful you came into my life. You have my heart and all my love forever.
Lou was born on Aug. 27, 1954, in Sharon to Louis and Sophia Cvelbar.
He was a graduate of Hickory High School, Youngstown State University, and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
Lou loved baseball and could play most positions. His favorite was second base but he excelled, later in his working career, as the third-baseman in the local softball league. With a "cannon" for an arm, he was a force to be reckoned with by any offense. To watch him catch a frozen rope or ground "blooper" from the left side, jump up, do a 180, and then fire off to second, or first base, was a thing of beauty. No one ever could record a hit when he was on defense if the ball came his way.
From boyhood to a young man playing in local summer leagues, he was often scouted by professionals who followed him all the way through to college at YSU until a knee injury ended the potential of a spot to possibly play in the Major Leagues.
Lou was a devoted Cleveland Indians fan his entire life. As one local stated, when you are born in the Shenango Valley, you immediately must choose, after your first breath, to be either an Indians or a Pirates fan. For football, he was a Steelers fan. "No real Western Pa. man could be anything but."
Lou had two license plates covers, one for each team. As the season for either team was drawing towards playoffs, depending on their failure at playoff time, he would abruptly get off his favorite chair knowing the inevitable loss, toss out a few choice expletives, and immediately change his license cover to the next team's upcoming season.
If you ever needed to know a statistic on any team, football or baseball, especially final scores and players of any Super Bowl or World Series, he could answer you in light speed. Mid-life, he took up the game of golf, spending several afternoons, and every Sunday, on the course trying to hone his skills, as testified to by the five sets of clubs in his garage.
As a young man Lou followed in his father's footsteps entering the retail jewelry business, L&C Jewelers (the letters standing for Lysohir and Cvelbar). Lou completed his Graduate Gemologist degree (G.G.) while working at the GIA's Gem Trade Laboratory as a diamond grader in New York City in the heart of the Diamond District. In 1981, he transferred to GIA's West Coast Los Angeles Laboratory as Head Supervisor. It was there he met Sally Ehmke and the two were married at Las Vegas in 1986. As those who attended often remarked years later, "that was the best wedding ever."
In 1988, Lou resigned from his position at GIA to strike out on his own. He worked with several local wholesale diamond dealers, and eventually partnered with a South African Master diamond cutter. By that time, Lou had become well known for his knowledge of recutting diamonds to improve their quality, and together with his partner, it was a successful union. In time, they dissolved their partnership and Lou went on to consult for two high profile wholesale and manufacturing companies in Los Angeles. With the advent of online shopping, he often would say with disdain. "Everyone's an expert." when in fact very few individuals possessed his level of expertise and breadth of knowledge.
For the past 34 years, Lou lived in Granada Hills, Calif., with his wife Sally. Together they spent many extraordinary times traveling to parts of the world, various parts of America to be with friends and family, or to see the wonders of the National Parks, and at least several times a year, returned to Vegas (aficionados never use the precedent "Las") just to escape for a few days during their working careers.
No one was more fun or more of a pleasure to be with when traveling with Lou. He turned small talk with strangers into fine art.
Lou was a big student of history. He voraciously read three newspapers a day, especially the sports section. He kept close contact with his great friends, many from his hometown and college as well as those he made during his working career. The outpouring of love and respect from them upon learning of his passing was and has been truly amazing. He is proud and humbled by them all. You know who you are, as does he.
Lou fought the good fight all through the past year and up to his earthly passing with his wife by his side. Departed from our sight too soon but never absent from our thoughts or memories.
Lou was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Gloria; and infant sister, Nancy.
Lou is survived by his wife, Sally Ehmke; his cousin, Linda Lysohir Carine and her husband Jeff, and their two daughters, Anne and Mandy; and many cousins.
The family requests anyone wishing to express their thoughts monetarily to please do so in one of the three ways: buy yourself a great dinner and toast to Lou, donate to the St. John's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Sharon, Pa., or donate to the John Wayne Cancer Center in Santa Monica, Calif.
LPC,
I am so beyond grateful you came into my life. You have my heart and all my love forever.
Family Members
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