RUSSELL - Louis R. "Big Lou" Stevens, 72, of Russell and a former longtime resident of Springfield was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. He passed into Eternal Life at his home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on August 25, 1952, a beloved son of the late Raymond J. and Evelyn E. (Nassar) Stevens. He was raised in Springfield and lived in the city for many years before moving to Russell in 2006. He attended Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Elementary School and graduated from the former Armory Street Elementary School. He later attended and graduated from the former Springfield Trade High School. While in high school, Louie was a member of the Swim Team. Louie was employed at the former Pond Eckberg Printing Company in Springfield, the former Wrap Around Company in West Springfield, and the former Trailways Bus Company in Worcester. He was employed for 27 years at the former Dexter Paper Corporation which later became the Ahlstrom Paper Company in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Following his retirement, he was employed at Joseph's Jewelers in Springfield. During his leisure time, Lou enjoyed classic cars, working out, bird watching and listening to classic rock and blues maybe a little too loudly. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and cherished his time playing with his grandchildren. He was an active communicant of Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church in Springfield where he was involved in many church activities. He leaves his loving wife and soul mate, Laura M. (Couture) Stevens. They were married at Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church in Springfield on May 1, 1980 and were blessed with over 45 years of happiness together. He also leaves his four loving and devoted children, Samuel P. Stevens and his wife, Elizabeth, of Springfield, Michael E. Stevens and his wife, Thongsamai, of Nashua, NH, Louis M. Stevens of Russell, and Laura M. Rivas and her husband, Herminio Rivas, Jr., of Wilbraham; his 11 cherished grandchildren whom he adored, Matthew, Zachary, Zoe, and Samuel Stevens; Nicholas Stevens; Jacob, Louis, Alexander and Joseph Stevens; and Sebastian and Isabella Rivas, his four loving and devoted siblings, Joseph E. Stevens of Southwick, Mary Anne Shamatta and her husband, Louie, of Atlanta, GA, Paul A. Stevens and his wife, Louise, of Westfield and Raymond J. Stevens, Jr. and his wife, Susan, of Longmeadow; his loving sister-in-law, Laura M. (Klinakis) Stevens of Westfield; his three dear brothers-in-law, Alfred Couture and his wife, Julia, of Palmer, Edward Couture and his wife, Patty, of Springfield, and Joseph Couture and his wife, Annette, of Springfield; his three dear sisters-in-law, Shirley Sherwood of Feeding Hills, Nancy Stengel and her husband, Steve, of Illinois, and Beverly Billings and her husband, John, of Vermont; and his many dear nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended family members. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his two loving brothers, Mark R. Stevens and Michael J. Stevens; and his three dear sisters-in-law, Christine Stevens, Christine Lessard, and Malvina Florian. His funeral will be held on Friday morning, July 25, 2025 beginning at the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.) followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church, 375 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA 01118. His burial will follow the Mass at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church, 419 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA 01118, Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com