Late Electrician Behind Clasky Christmas Lights Honored With Memorial

The city dedicated a plaque in memory of Master Electrician Louis Whitlow at Clasky Common Park Saturday evening.

Whitlow was the driving force behind the Christmas light decorations around the park, as well as lighting displays at Edaville Railroad and Buttonwood Park Zoo.

City Councilors Joe Lopes, Henry Bousquet and Linda Morad were behind a motion to create a memorial for the dedicated electrician.

Longtime friend Fred Toomey said Whitlow "worked tirelessly" when it came to fixing up the park.

Along with his continued community service, Whitlow was also a decorated Army veteran and a commander of the local Howland Chapter for veterans.

Whitlow's son Robert said his father took great pride in his work at the park.

"He used to tell me the stories of all of the fun times he had working with kids and how much he enjoyed coming down here. It amazed me that he'd come down here sitting in the building all by himself sometimes just watching the display and working on stuff," said Robert. "It was really something he loved to do."

The new plaque can bee seen on the electrical shed on the west side of the park.

The plaque was made by carpentry students at Greater New Bedford Voc Tech High School.

Whitlow passed away in 2008 at the age of 83.