Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1368856
A TRIBUTE TO LOU SOMOGYI BGI STAFF TRIBUTES STU COMAN Publisher Of Blue & Gold Illustrated These are a few of the many special memories I have of working with Lou Somogyi for almost 12 years. When we were in the initial stages of eventu- ally buying Blue & Gold Illustrated in 2009, I met with Lou for the first time at the publication's offices on Home Street in Mishawaka, Ind. I introduced myself by telling him what our company did, including publishing magazines at NC State, Virginia and Michigan. "I always wondered why we couldn't be like The Wolverine," said Lou, holding up one of the sample copies of the Michigan magazine that I had given him. "That will be the goal if we become the own- ers," I promised him. In October 2014, college football announcer Chris Fowler sent out this tweet: "Random salute: no publication covering one CFB team does it as well as BlueGold Illus- trated. Great info" I called Lou after I saw it and said, "We did it Lou, thanks to you." As usual, he deferred the credit to our staff. They were a part of the success, but Lou was the driving force with his boundless energy, pas- sion, elite talent, unmatched knowledge on Irish sports and extreme care for the magazine. We all had worked together to take Blue & Gold Illustrated to the level that we both discussed five years earlier. I have often taken home an issue of Blue & Gold and looked over it as a fan without the pressure of trying to find mistakes. I would al- ways marvel at how damn good Lou was and how impressed I was with "his" magazine. Over our years together at Blue & Gold, we have had to replace writers. When we inter- viewed a promising candidate, Lou would often take me aside or call me later and say we could cut his salary and use the extra money to try to hire that person. I would always tell him that wasn't necessary, that we were okay. Several months ago, we had a profit-sharing distribution, and this is part of an e-mail he sent me in response: I also don't want to do anything that hurts the overall company or others with us fi- nancially, so if you feel the need to invest it there for the greater good, I would have no problems with it. With immense gratitude and respect, Lou That is the essence of Lou Somogyi. He was an incredible worker and a very caring person. They say time heals all wounds. In this case, time has a lot of work to do with me. MICHELLE DELEE-HAMILTON BGI Marketing/Sales Director I had the great honor of working with Louie for nearly 30 years at Blue & Gold Illustrated. His keen acumen and uncanny way with words were known by friends and followers far and wide. Over the past couple of days, I have come to understand just how many people were touched by his kindness and selflessness, which I was blessed to experience on a daily basis. Suffice it to say that Lou was like a brother to me. He somehow managed to brighten my day no matter what was happening in his life. During my tenure with Louie at the office, there was never a time that I had to pick up a case of water, carry a box or move a piece of fur- niture: "Let me get that for you, Miss Michelle!" I will always remember the sheer joy he ex- uded as he watched his beloved dog Belle, his "baby," play ball with my daughter for hours at a time at the office filled with lots of happy growls. And, he was thoughtful to a fault. After the passing of my brother, for weeks Louie asked daily what I needed or wanted. Watch over us, Louie, and know you will al- ways be remembered. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. And may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. TODD BURLAGE BGI Columnist/Contributing Writer My 16 years working alongside Lou Somogyi provided more interesting, inspiring and funny stories than these pages can hold, but one in particular stands out. During my first five years (2005-09) on the job at Blue & Gold Illustrated, I served as the ND football program beat writer and I sat immedi- ately to Lou's left in the stadium press box for the Irish home games. www.BLUEANDGOLD.com JUNE/JULY 2021 19 A Perfect Day, A Lovely Service The moment felt almost like a perfectly timed tribute from the heavens to start the funeral mass for Louis Somogyi Jr. on April 23, inside the glori- ous Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of Notre Dame. A spring morning that started mainly gray, the skies cleared at the very moment the service be- gan, the sun emerged, and a beam of multi-colors pierced the stained-glass cathedral windows and enveloped Lou's beautiful blue-and-gold colored casket, a glorious-looking final-resting bed cus- tomized for Lou by his loving widow, Amalia. Veteran Notre Dame priest Rev. Paul F. Doyle, C.S.C., was the primary celebrant for the mass and during his homily and shared personal stories of how Lou struck the perfect blend of greatness at his work with goodness in his heart. Upon completion of the funeral mass — a ser- vice that concluded with the playing of the Notre Dame "Alma Mater," a fitting and touching reces- sional hymn — the funeral parade made a half- hour winding drive around campus then along the north bank of the St. Joseph River to Highland Cemetery in South Bend, Ind., where Lou, who died at age 58, was entombed next to his late parents, Lou Somogyi Sr. and Irene Horvath. It was at the cemetery that Rev. Doyle offered one last tribute, explaining that Lou lived and left this world with "clean hands and straight eyes." Clean hands in that Lou would never harm an- other soul, and straight eyes in that honesty kept Lou from ever having to hide from anything. The sun shined brightly over the entire beauti- ful ceremony. Lou is survived by Amalia, his true love and soulmate; stepchildren Mike Vegh, Jennifer and Brandon Thomas, and Kimberly Vegh; and step- granddaughter Noelle Thomas. The family asks that donations in Lou's name be made to The Salvation Army Kroc Center, 900 W. Western Ave., South Bend, Ind., 46601. Additionally, the Lou Somogyi Memorial Scholarship has been created. Please visit Blue- GoldOnline.com/Lou-Somogyi for contribution information. — Todd D. Burlage