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SOUTH HADLEY - Louis A. "Buddha" Conti, 75, died at his home of 60 years on Canal Street on Monday, Jan. 25, 2010.

Born on Nov. 9, 1934, above the Egg & I Restaurant on Main Street in South Hadley to Gino and Bruna (Bottoni) Conti. He lived all his life in South Hadley Falls. He was a 1953 graduate of South Hadley High School, where he was a standout outfielder and pitcher for the baseball team and captain of the basketball team. He played professional baseball in the Boston Red Sox organization from 1953 to 1955. He then served in the U.S. Navy for two years. He worked as a sales rep. for the former Lestoil, Inc. of Holyoke. Then he was the owner and worked along with his brother at Conti's Luncheonette from 1963 to 1973. He later owned Casa Conti's Restaurant & Lounge in South Hadley from 1974 to 1979.

He opened Buddha's Restaurant (now known as the Crack of Dawn) in 1979 which he ran until 2000 when he retired after 40 years in the food and restaurant Business. Lou enjoyed playing golf and watching his beloved South Hadley High School sports teams.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Anne M. (Laurie) Conti; a daughter, Laurie Anne Conti of South Hadley; a son, James A. Conti and his wife Carol of Phoenix, Ariz.; two grandchildren, Carissa and Cameron Conti, both of Phoenix, Ariz.; his dear granddog, Danny; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and longtime dear friends of the Round Table at the Crack of Dawn Restaurant. Lou was the brother of the late Mary Belanger and Alfred Conti.

Calling Hours will be on Friday, Jan. 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Ryder Funeral Home, 33 Lamb St., South Hadley with a Prayer Service to follow in the funeral home at 1 p.m. Burial will be held privately by the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lou's memory may be made to the Louis A. Conti Scholarship Fund at South Hadley High School, care of the Athletic Department, 153 Newton St., South Hadley, MA, 01075.