Louis Canter's Obituary
Louis M. Canter, age 94, former Vice-Mayor of Lantana, FL, died on December 6, 2024, at home. In his final weeks, family members and close friends surrounded him with love through visits and phone calls. Lou was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Nancy Olian Canter, and his grandson Nathaniel Canter. He is survived by his children Rebecca (Jon) Ryan, Edie Canter (Fred Wellisch), Marcia Canter, and Andrew Canter (Jane Fraser); his grandchildren Daniel Ryan (Alexis Scheer), Rachel Ryan, Leah Ryan, Julia Wellisch, and Benjamin Canter; his brother Edward (Lynn) Canter; his sister Patricia McCue; and many other relatives and friends.
Lou was born in Waltham, MA in 1930, graduated from Boston University in 1951, and served in the Army from 1951-53 before starting his professional life in real estate. First an agent and then a developer, Lou built hundreds of homes in the Boston suburbs, bringing happiness to generations of families. Lou and Nancy married in 1955 and raised their four children in Framingham, MA, where he was involved in Temple Beth Am. During those years, Lou owned racehorses, flew a small plane around the Eastern seaboard, and played many games of gin rummy.
In 1986, Lou and Nancy relocated to Lantana, and Lou traded in his horses and plane for a fishing boat. He developed many close friendships in Lantana, including fishing buddies, his regular lunch group at the Grumpy Grouper and The Hive, and people involved in town politics. He joined the Lantana Zoning Commission, then Town Council, eventually becoming Vice Mayor of the town. Notably, for ten years, Lou was known as “Lantana Lou,” the town’s version of Punxsutawney Phil, emerging from the ocean with a trident and crown each year on Groundhogs Day to predict “12 months of beautiful weather.” The festive “Lantana Lou” day became a treasured public event. Lou and Nancy enjoyed domestic and international travel in their retirement years. Lou’s most recent trip was a memorable visit to Washington D.C., along with other veterans, through Southeast Florida Honor Flight.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 17 at 10:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel, 11115 Jog Road, Boynton Beach, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lou’s memory can be made to Southeast Florida Honor Flight, www.honorflightsefl.org.
The service will be webcasted: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/107435/hash:CE1C78890AE00E94
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