Dr. Louis John Traficante
Dr. Louis John Traficante of Shohola died on Friday, April 10, 2015, at home surrounded by his family. He was 66.
He was the loving husband of Eileen (Casey) Traficante.
Son of Joseph and Dora (Calario) Traficante and younger brother to Joseph Traficante, he was born in Trenton, N.J.
He attended Steinert High School until enrolling at Long Island University, where he earned his bachelor of science degree. He graduated with a master’s degree in chemistry from New York University, and achieved his Ph.D in neuro biochemistry from Rutgers University. He also achieved a post doctorate in neurochemistry at Bellevue Hospital in New York. He was a licensed laboratory director in Massachusetts, Nevada, Florida and New York, and was a diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Toxicologists. He was qualified in toxicology as an expert witness in 22 courts, and published 33 papers on various topics.
He started his career as an assistant professor at New York University Medical Center/Bellevue Hospital in the Neuropsychopharmacology Research Unit. After moving to Massachusetts, he was an associate professor of biochemistry at Boston University Medical Center as well as the director of various laboratories. He started at Willow St. Medical Laboratory in 1997 as lab director and lectured throughout the country on drug testing and toxicology. In addition, he was lab director/consultant for Calloway Laboratories.
His latest endeavor came in the early part of 2011, alongside the prior owner of Willow Labs and the prior owner’s son, as lab director of an independent diagnostic laboratory named Commonwealth Laboratories. Dr. Traficante was an integral part of commonwealth’s success and his contribution will remain forever unmatched.
He met his wife, Eileen, at New York University, and they married on Oct. 6, 1973, at Saint Michael’s Chapel at Rutgers University. He raised his family in Kingston, Mass., and attended North River Community Church, where he played the drums in the church services band. He was a true family man who enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, and cherished the many family vacations over the years.
He was extremely creative and had many hobbies, including painting, poetry, sculpting, model airplanes, firearms, and rockets. Music was his passion and he loved playing the drums, piano, violin, guitar, and the flute. He played in many bands throughout his life, but most recently was the founder and lead drummer of the band vehicle.
Survivors include his wife, Eileen; brother, Joseph Traficante and his wife, Susan; daughter, Jennifer Porrata, and husband, Rick; daughter, Lisa Richard and husband, Matthew; son, David Traficante and fiancé, Emily Franklin; and his grandsons, Dominic and Noah Louis Porrata.
Visitation was held at the Shepherd Funeral Home in Kingston, Mass., on April 16. Funeral services were held at North River Community Church in Pembroke, Mass., on April 17. Burial followed at the Evergreen Cemetery, Green St., Kingston, Mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Gift Administration and Donor Services, Attn: Dr. Ingo Mellinghoff, P.O. Box 27106, New York, NY 10087.