Louis E. Dardi

Louis E. Dardi, age 80 of Ellijay GA, passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024, at his residence, following a valiant three-year battle against cancer.

Lou was born on July 27, 1943, and grew up in Norfolk MA. He was a graduating member of the King Philip High School Class of 1961, but left high school a year early after receiving early admission to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He graduated from MIT with an engineering degree in Materials Science.

Lou spent his career as a metallurgist in the aerospace industry, first at Pratt Whitney in New Haven CT,  and then as Director of Research and Development at Howmet Turbine Components in Muskegon MI. Seventeen patents in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office list Lou as inventor of various metallic coatings and plasma spray processess for the manufacture of airplane turbine blades.

Lou is preceded in death by his brother, David Dardi. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Kim Myers; son and daughter-in-law, Michael Louis Dardi and Danielle of Cascade CO; two grandchildren, Dean Waker Louis and Vivienne Nova; sister, Janet Charlton of Plainville MA; and special cousin and wife, Joe and Cathy Conti of Moultonborough NH.

Lou was a voracious reader, lover of crossword puzzles, superb cook, and possessed a keen wit and extraordinary curiosity about everything in the natural world. He was a Bronze Life Master Player in the American Contract Bridge League, and an avid dancer, even appearing on the “American Bandstand” tv show with Dick Clark when he was in high school. Lou enjoyed telling how he met his wife Kim at a Cajun dance in March 1999.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., at Nine Mile United Methodist Church in Ellijay GA, with Rev. Jodi Christensen and Rev. Warren Williams officiating, and music by Dave and Marlene Colburn, Tim and Beth McArthur, and William Spivey. Interment of ashes will follow on October 26, 2024 (Lou and Kim’s wedding anniversary) in Norfolk MA.

Donations in Lou’s memory may be made to Georgia Mountains Hospice, 70 Caring Way, Jasper, GA 30143. In Their Honor Funeral and Cremation Providers was entrusted with the care of Lou. (www.ithfuneral.com).

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