Louis Sumner of Marblehead, MA passed away peacefully ay on March 27th at Salem Hospital, surrounded by family. He had been in deteriorating health for several years, finally succumbing to lung cancer.

Mr. Sumner was born at Salem Hospital to the late Louis B. Sumner and Marie Robarts Sumner. He is survived by his wife of twenty-five years Marjorie Slattery Sumner; his brother John (Bobbi) of Faribault, Minnesota; his children Megan Sumner of West Deptford, New Jersey; John Sumner (Amanda) of Derry, New Hampshire; LuAnne Sumner (Roger) of Cisco, Texas; and his 7 grandchildren- Jade, Katrina, Gavin, Travis, Lukas, Jolene, and Milo. He was predeceased by his brother, Scott Sumner of Marblehead.

After graduating from Marblehead High School in 1962, Louie joined the Navy and volunteered for submarine duty. He served on the USS Clamagore based in Newport, RI, and a Polaris atomic submarine stationed in Scotland, which took him under the north pole. He saw much of the world; read books on history, art, philosophy, and religion; and improved his chess game while in the service.

After his discharge he moved to New York City, where he joined his lifelong friend and classmate Keith Keller. Together they went to Montreal and worked at various jobs during the 1967 World Exposition. Upon their return he worked as a salesman for Bulkley Dunton, a distributor of fine paper.

He found his true calling in sales. He returned to Marblehead in 1970 to continue his education at North Shore Community College.  He held a variety of jobs over the next few years, finally finding employment as an advertising salesman with the Salem News. He later accepted a job with the Gannett chain in New Jersey, where he married and started a family.  He worked for them as a salesman or Sales Director for most of the rest of his working life. Over the years it took him to Missouri; Illinois; Iowa; California; and New York. He returned to Marblehead in the late nineties, and never left.

Lou's greatest talent was making and keeping friends. His favorite pastime was listening to live music. He found compatible company with both performers and listeners where ever his travels took him. His private pleasure was science fiction. During his retirement he wrote dozens of recaps of books for an online forum. He and Marj travelled by train and car all over the United States, Canada, and San Miguel de Allende in Mexico.

His easy manner, thoughtful advice, avid true storytelling, and deep loyalty will be remembered and missed by his family and many friends. Per his wishes there will not be a public service. May he rest in peace.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Marblehead Animal Shelter https://marblehead-animal-shelter.org.