Bayville World War II veteran reflects on life
The life journey of 97-year-old Lou Laurino, of Bayville, a World War II veteran and a respected attorney, has taken him from Okinawa, Japan, to the heights of New York’s legal world, to quiet retirement in the North Shore village he and his family have come to love. Born in Astoria, Queens, in 1927 to Italian immigrant parents, Laurino had a modest upbringing, but eventually built a distinguished career in law and politics, a testament to his hard work, resilience and dedication.
His early years were marked by the simplicity of a cold-water flat with no central heating. He attended local public schools, and graduated from Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan.
At age 17, anticipating the draft, Laurino volunteered for the Navy, where he served on a tugboat from January 1945 to September 1946. He was stationed in Pearl Harbor and Okinawa, where he faced the harrowing realities of war, including the tumultuous period leading up to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.
“I lost 50 pounds due to seasickness,” Laurino recalled. “We got as far as Okinawa, and remained there until the first and second atomic bombs were dropped, and every night there would be Japanese attacks.”
Laurino described continuing to feel ill toward the end of his service, and, while recovering in a military hospital in Pearl Harbor, being approached by his captain with a request to volunteer for a mission collecting animals in the areas where the atomic bombs had been dropped for later testing. Laurino pondered the information the U.S. government had released on the effects of the bomb, and despite his captain’s insistence, refused the offer. Instead he decided to return home and focus on his studies.
With the help of the GI Bill, he attended Brooklyn Law School, where he completed a degree while working various jobs to support himself. His legal career began under the mentorship of John Clancy, a prominent lawyer and future Queens borough president. Laurino’s honesty and hard work led to a successful private practice and significant political influence.
In the 1950s and ’60s, he became deeply involved in Queens politics, serving as counsel to the public administrator and being elected Queens County surrogate in 1971, a position he held for 14 years. He became known for integrity and independence, notably running his campaigns without accepting external contributions.
“I wanted the freedom to make unbiased decisions,” Laurino explained. “Not being beholden to contributors allowed me to serve the public impartially and effectively.”
Throughout his career, he navigated the complexities of the legal and political worlds with a steadfast commitment to ethical principles. He was known for his meticulous approach to estate litigation and his ability to mentor young lawyers, including his son, Louis, with whom he practiced law until his retirement at age 92.
Lou and his wife, Rose, met while in high school, and their four children eventually expanded the family to nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, with a sixth now on the way.
“I was working at a grocery store on 18th Street and 25th Road, and Rose was born and raised right up the street, and she would come down to the grocery store,” Laurino recounted. “After a short period of time I said to myself, ‘I’m going to marry that girl,’ and I never had any interest in marrying anyone else, and that was 80 years ago.”
They bought a summer home in Bayville in the 1960s, and their permanent move to the village some years later was motivated by a desire for a peaceful family life, a decision that has, they say, brought them decades of happiness.
“Bayville has been a sanctuary for us,” Laurino said. “We’ve always enjoyed Bayville because it’s more relaxing; there’s no social demands of any kind. It’s just like a family relationship.”
Despite his many achievements, Laurino remains humble and reflective, and advocates for civic education, believing that a deep appreciation for the country’s history and legal framework is crucial for future generations. As he enjoys his twilight years, he continues to inspire those around him with his stories of perseverance and service, and an unwavering commitment to justice. His legacy, marked by significant contributions to both his community and country, is one of dedication and integrity.
