CAMDEN – Louis C. Gricus, 59, passed from this life, Tuesday, November 6, 2018, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport, following and extended period of declining health.

Born in Rockland, April 29, 1959, he was the son of Kenneth J. and Mary A. Bonner Gricus.

Educated in Camden schools, Lou was a graduate of Camden-Rockport High School.

His career as a cook began at an early age when he worked at the Village Restaurant, Yorkies and the Whitehall Inn all in Camden.  Lou’s cooking career took him to Peter Otts (1976 - 2000), the Waterfront (2002 - 2004), Francine (2004), Ingrahams (2005) and the Boat House in Rockland (2008 - 2010).  

Lou often worked days for the family business, Downeast Diversified, and evening cooking. His cooking career also took him to such diverse places as Nantucket Island, Mass.; Boca Grande, Florida, and Vale, Colorado.  

Regardless of his cooking venue, Lou’s goal was always to provide a plate, dish or meal, which would leave the diners wanting more. His niece Emily said of her Uncle, “He was a Camden icon.”

He knew where to eat, where the best trails to hike were, where to find anything.  Lou was a volume of information about the most obscure but fascinating information about his beloved hometown, Camden. He willingly and often lent a helping hand to his friends.  Lou loved music and could tell you the details of the history of any music groups of his time, especially Jazz, Bluegrass and Soft Rock.

Then there was sports.  He was a natural mentor to his father and nephew Stephen Costello or anyone, sharing his knowledge of the fine points of the game.  They would say ‘What happened?’ Lou would reply “You don’t see it very often but it was this……” This was true of all Boston teams – Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics!  As his cancer and diabetes progressed he slept more and more. He did get up to watch the Sox win the World Series in the top of the ninth with his Dad.

Lou’s Mom has a medical work background and guided him through the medical ordeals.  She also became the transportation to Augusta, Lewiston, and the Boston medical facilities.  His God-mother, Mary-Lou Smith of Arlington, Mass., provided love and housing for Lou’s numerous trips to Dana Farber and the Mass General Hospital.

Lou was predeceased by his brother Joseph S. Gricus in 2014.  He is survived by his parents, with whom he resided the past several years; one brother, Kenneth Paul Gricus of Maui, Hawaii; two sisters, Angela M. Bryant and her companion, Joseph Webster of Zephyr Hills, Florida; Carolyn G. Costello and her husband, William, of West Warwick, Rhode Island, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, November 19, 2018, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

To share a memory or story with Lou’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com