From June 2010 through November 2013, Lou wrote a monthly column for The Beacon, titled "Birds In Spring," Lou started writing for The Beacon around the time of his retirement. His career spanned more than four decades in the newspaper, government, and health care fields.
Lou lived in New York’s Saratoga County for over 35 years, and was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in May 2006. He chose the title for his Beacon column based on a line from the 1970s Judy Collins' song “Who Knows Where the Time Goes” (written by Sandy Denny), which goes like this:
So come the storms of winter,
and then the birds in spring again.
You can find a list of all Lou's columns by following this link. Several of his more popular columns included:
- "Pet Appreciation" (June 27, 2013 - written after Lou stopped being a regular columnist)
- "This Is Your Brain On Myeloma" (Feb 21, 2012)
- "Versed – Forgetting Surgical Unpleasantness And Everything Else" (Jan 18, 2011)
Louis Joseph Ganim II, 71, of Clifton Park passed away on Monday, October 31, 2016 with his family by his side after a long battle with multiple myeloma. The beloved husband of Linda Ganim for 43 years, Louis was born in Binghamton, NY on May 23, 1945 to his late parents Louis and Anastasia Ganim. He is survived by his wife Linda, daughter Kristyn Ganim (Jerry Viele), son David Ganim (Sara Ellis), dog Memphis, sisters Patricia (Alex) Altavilla and Mary Ganim (Bob Philpot), sister-in-law Eileen Morello and several nieces and nephews; predeceased by his dog Kodi and multiple other pets.
Lou graduated from Ithaca College in 1967. His career spanned more than four decades in newspaper, government, and health care fields. He moved to the small town of Clifton Park over thirty five years ago when it had one traffic light, only to watch it explode in population around him. He bemoaned the traffic and missed the stars he used to see from his front porch that are now blocked by light pollution.
Lou lived life to the fullest, never allowing his illness to stop him. Long walks with Kodi kept him active even after he stopped riding his bike for miles every day. Lou's love for music was obvious to anyone who ever visited his home where he proudly played various different types of music all of the time. He enjoyed listening to tunes while sitting by the fire and reading his latest novel or relaxing by the pool. Now it is truly "the day the music died."
The family will greet friends on Saturday, November 5, 2016 from 12 noon until 2 pm at Catricala Funeral Home, Inc., 1597 Route 9, Clifton Park, with a funeral service beginning at 2 p.m.
We are saddened to learn of Lou's passing, and offer our condolences and best wishes to his family and friends.
