Lou Spero, 60

Louis F. Spero, Project Manager, Facilities Design & Construction at Stony Brook Southampton, was killed in an automobile accident on Wednesday afternoon, April 29, on Sunrise Highway in Westhampton. He was 60 years old.

Spero's pick up truck was hit by a 2001 Chrysler driven by Paul Nelson, 35, who was found to be under the influence of drugs. Spero lost control of his vehicle, which flipped in the center median.

Spero, who regularly traveled between Stony Brook's two campuses, oversaw many projects, including the restoration of the campus Windmill, which involved extensive research and creativity. The blades were restored by hand using specially picked spruce trees, trucked in from outside the region. Spero, led the renovation of Atlantic Hall, previously a library when this property was owned by LIU, and his nuances and care for preserving the history of the building are prevalent.

Most consider his most remarkable work - his masterpiece - to be the renovation of the Avram Theater (see related article on Page 19).

According to colleagues, Spiro was detail oriented, and an excellent team leader who cared deeply about his workers while nurturing their best work and instilling pride in craftsmanship.

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