Louis J. Billittier is remembered as one of the most generous men and dedicated community leaders Western New York has ever known.

Lou always had two careers. The first one was as the owner of the successful Chef's Restaurant, a landmark in downtown Buffalo. The second was another almost full-time career as an outstanding citizen whose community leadership and advocacy for disabled, sick and needy children is legendary.

Lou's business career was built on hard work.  He started at Chef's as a teenager in 1941, hired to wash dishes.  Lou worked his way up to busboy, then waiter, eventually earning the title of restaurant manage.  By 1950, Lou was part owner of the Italian eatery.  His dream came true in 1954 when, with financial help from his father, the late Anthony Billittier, he became sole owner of Chef's.

Lou and his wife, Ann, expanded the menu and developed their own specialties, such as their renowned Spaghetti Parmesan.  Serving Italian and American favorites, the restaurant increased in size, added a banquet room, and launched a subsidiary company, L & M, which bottles and markets Chef's famous sauce. 

While Lou was highly regarded as a restaurateur - The Taste of Buffalo created an annual award to honor his name - he earned the respect and affection of neighbors and fellow citizens for his unselfish community involvement in supporter of educational, civic and charitable organizations.

For decades, he was an advocate for mentally retarded persons.  The Association for Retarded Children and Allentown Industries named their 101 Oak Street building as The Louis J. Billittier Center, He served on the New York State Commission on Quality of Care for the Mentally Disabled, as chairman of the Governor's Transportation Committee for Paratransit for Disabilities, and as an officer of the Association for Boards of Visitors of New York State's Mental Hygiene Facilities.

Active in the Variety Club of Buffalo as a member of the Board of Directors for many years, he served as chairman of the Variety Club Telethon. Variety International's Presidential Citation was awarded to him for his tireless work on behalf of Variety, Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, and countless charities benefiting children's causes.

Lou's civic dedication was evident in leadership responsibilities he willingly accepted.  He was a member of the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, president of the 100 Club, chairman of the Erie Community College Board of Trustees, and chairman of the Wyoming-Erie Regional Emergency Medical Services Board.

As the recipient of numerous awards and honors for his humanitarian efforts, he was selected to be a carrier of the Olympic Torch during the 1996 Torch Rally.  While thankful for the many honors bestowed upon him by government, police, church, college, sports, and media organizations; service club and community foundations, he shunned the spotlight and said his only purpose was "to help the kids."  He was a great man and a truly humble man whose character and achievements inspired all who knew him.

Louis J. Billittier died at age 71 on August 2, 2000.