Louis F. Spadaccino, 90, surveying company owner

Louis F. Spadaccino, 90, of Holland, Bucks County, the owner of a surveying company, who spent time as a stunt rider, died Thursday, April 3, of prostate cancer at his home.

Mr. Spadaccino was born in Langhorne and enlisted in the Navy right out of Neshaminy High School. He saw action during World War II and returned stateside in 1946. And then, off he went to tour with the Joie Chitwood Thrill Show.

"The legend goes that he left his mother a note on the kitchen table, and he up and joined Joie Chitwood's show," said his grandson, Cody.

A hit in its day, the show featured "Hell Drivers" who rolled and crashed cars on a dirt track, and jumped them from ramp to ramp. Mr. Spadaccino's specialty was riding a motorcycle through a flaming hoop.

He continued for several seasons before quitting to marry Martha Furner in 1949.

His vocation, though, was surveying. He took his first job at age 14 with Edward Pickering Surveying & Engineering, and worked for 10 years at its successor, Pickering, Corts & Summerson.

In 1959, Mr. Spadaccino left to start Tri-State Engineers & Land Surveyors Inc. on Street Road in Feasterville. He never retired.

Mr. Spadaccino fostered various sports teams and activities in the community. He was a founder of the Council Rock Little League baseball team.

"Every time the team won, Lou took them to Goodnoe's dairy bar and treated the entire team to ice cream," his family said in a tribute.

In 1978, he opened B&R Family Fitness Center, a health club in Feasterville. He ran the center until turning it over to his son David. After David Spadaccino died in 2012, the club was bought by AFC Fitness.

Mr. Spadaccino enjoyed golf, hunting, and fly-fishing.

He was a member of the Bucks County Republican Party and the Bristol Elks Pennsylvania Lodge 970, and a founding member of the Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors.

In addition to his grandson, surviving are a son, Michael; two grandchildren; a sister; a brother; and his companion, Patricia Murray. His wife died in 1992.

Services were Tuesday, April 8.

Contributions may be made to the Association for the Blind, 400 Freedom Dr., Newtown, Pa. 18940.

610-313-8102