Lou Lucas the Guitarman Louis Forsthoffer, 65, died Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at his home in Branchburg. Born in Edison, N.J., Louis lived for many years in the Fords/Edison area attending local schools. He moved to Manville in the early 70's, lived in Iselin and Piscataway and in 1999 moved to Branchburg. Lou is survived by his devoted wife and companion of 37 years, Celeste Onka, his daughter, Debra Sacchiero; his sons, Robert Becker and wife, Lori, Kenneth, Louis and Scott Forsthoffer; his mother, Mary Forsthoffer; his brothers, Edward, Thomas and Joseph; his many nieces and nephews and his loving, faithful dogs, Cookie and Raye Bob. Mr. Forsthoffer was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Manville, N.J. He was predeceased by his father, Louis, in 1993. Lou will best be remembered for his musical talent and especially his unique way of playing a guitar, upside down/backwards. He played in several rock and country western bands in the 50s to the present (The Preachers, Nashville Raiders, Deuces R Wild) and backed up such country legends as Kitty Wells, Ferlin Husky, Jeannie Pruett and Connie Smith. In recent years, he brought his musical talent as a one-man-band to many of the central and southern N.J. senior clubs, assisted living and nursing homes, VFW's, Moose & Elk Lodges, churches and for the past 7 years, could be heard on Saturday evenings, during the summer, at the Avon Pavilion in Avon, N.J. His unique style of guitar playing sometimes found him backing up singers in WDVR Heartlands Hayride. A multitalented musician, Lou's instrument of choice was his electric guitar, but also played piano, accordion and "occasional" pedal steel guitar. Mr. Forsthoffer was also the Service Manager for the New Brunswick and the Union Crazy Eddie stores during the '80s until their close in 1989. He was an avid animal lover and often played benefits at the Popcorn Zoo in Lacy Township to help raise money on behalf of the animals he so dearly loved. This love spilled over to watching the pets of many of his friends and family so that they could enjoy vacations knowing that their pets were safe at "Camp Lou". Funeral services will begin with a prayer Monday at 8:15 AM at the Branchburg Funeral Home, 910 US Highway 202 South, Branchburg, N.J., 08876, (908) 526-7638, followed by a 9:00 AM Funeral Liturgy at Sacred Heart Church, Manville. Visitation hours are Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Louis' memory to the Popcorn Zoo Animal Sanctuary and Rescue, 1 Humane Way, Forked River, N.J., 08731 or St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center, 3201 Route 22 East, PO Box 5281, North Branch, N.J., 08876. To send a lasting tribute or condolences to the Forsthoffer family, please sign the online guestbook. Click "Sign Guestbook" below.