From his popular son, journalist and NY1 host Errol Louis, you can gather an aspect of his father Edward John Louis, particularly their commitment to a career. Like his son’s devotion to journalism, Edward spent more than a generation in the ranks of the NYPD, rising from a sergeant to an inspector. Edward passed away on Sunday, Feb. 21. He was 87.
Eddie, as he was called, was born Oct. 14, 1934 in New York City and was the youngest child of Errold and Eugenia Stephens Louis. A memorable moment occurred during his first years in the city’s public school system—he met his future wife, Tomi Laureta Hawkins, in kindergarten class. He relished and rarely missed an opportunity relating this story.
In 1955, he passed the rigorous training of the NYPD and won his patrolman’s badge. He would wear this badge with pride and honor for the next 30 years, moving up the ranks from sergeant, lieutenant, captain, deputy inspector to inspector. As one door closed as a law enforcement officer, another one opened at the New York Legal Aid Society where he supervised investigators.
Two years after earning his badge, Eddie married Tomi and together they had five children: Pamela, Lisa, Ellen, Errol and Edward. While devotion to his family was a top priority for him, there was still time for other civic affairs, including membership in the Guardians, a fraternal order of African American police officers as well as a member of NOBLE. He loved to pull on his track shoes and compete in distance races and marathons, which certified his membership in the Road Runners Club.
As listeners will hear in his eulogy on Thursday, Feb. 25, at Barney T. McClanahan Funeral Home in New Rochelle, Eddie was a serious student of American history, a vegan long before it was popular, and observed a number essentials of a healthy lifestyle that contributed to his longevity. Staying in good health provided him time and energy for the other passions of his life, especially traveling and handicapping horse races.
A devoted husband and family man, Eddie leaves to mourn his passing five children, his sister-in-law Ollie Hawkins, his son-in-law Reginald (Lisa) Burton, and his daughter-in-law Juanita Scarlett (Errol), his four grandsons: Terrence, Alex-Jamal, Christopher, and Noah; and his great grandson, Branson; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends, including life-long friends John Clark and Charles Ritzberg, and friends from NYPD and New Rochelle Parents Advisory Committee for the Developmentally Disabled. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Tomi, his sister Elaine Atherton, and his brother Anthony Louis.
Interment is to be held at Rose Hills Cemetery, Putnam Valley.