John Richmond Foto

John Richmond Foto, beloved husband, father, and grandfather went home to his Creator on the 16th day of Sept. He was 79 years old. His wife, Merion, was his faithful companion for 52 years. Four children include Nancy Foto Selser (David), Jacob Foto (Michelle), Charlene Foto Thompson (Tommy) and Kathleen Foto Trotter (Daniel). 8 grandchildren: Rachel Cuccia, Ashley Cuccia, Tyler Trotter, Cherie Selser, Madeline Trotter, Emma Thompson, Meredith Thompson, and Miranda Trotter. One great-grandchild: Ava Rose Polizzi. Numerous beloved cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Jacob John Foto, and his mother, Santa Maria Ciaccio Foto.

Significant life events included graduation from St. Stanislaus in 1955, where he made many life-long friends. John played the Trombone and attended LSU for a short period of time, where his studies were interrupted by an automobile accident. He served Active Duty in the United States Marines from 1956-1958 as Company Clerk, which included tours to Camp Pendleton and the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. His passion and main hobby was wedding and family portrait photography, and he learned the ropes of that business at Tipery Studio as an apprentice to Paul Palermo and Paul’s mother, Philomena. He later ran his own business doing the same with the catchy business name: Photos by Foto on “Focus” Street. He has been a member of St. Louis King of France Church for over 50 years, where he baptized his two youngest children and has faithfully served as Usher. He was also a member of the Busy Bees Senior Citizens, where he served a term as President, and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. John also cherished his membership in the Contessa Entellina Society, and rarely missed a local event.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Friday, September 22, 2017 beginning at 9:30AM. A Funeral Mass will follow in the Chapel beginning at 11:00AM. Interment will follow at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum just inside the main entrance door.

To view and sign the guest book, visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.