Louis A. Checchia of Bensalem passed away Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Langhorne. He was 87.

Born in Philadelphia, he was a lifelong resident of Bensalem. He was a graduate of Bensalem High School, Class of 1941. Lou was a retired farmer, and along with his brothers, he farmed vegetables at the family farm for more than 50 years. Later, the farm was converted to a sod farm, providing sod for all of Neshaminy Valley during the early building stages. Lou was a member of the Philadelphia Vegetable Association. He enjoyed going to flea markets, antiquing, and Harley Davidson motorcycles.

He was the beloved husband of the late Catherine (Weigand) and the father of the late James Gourlay.

He will be sadly missed by his daughter, Carol Luszczak and her husband, Michael, of Bensalem; and his son, Robert Gourlay of Caldwell, N.J. He was the brother of E. Albert Checchia and his wife, Betty, and Octavio "Count" Checchia, all of Bensalem. He also is survived by four grandchildren, Michael, Tyler, Susan and Kristi; and one great-grandson, Chase; and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, at St. Ephrem Church, 5400 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, where friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Interment will be held in Resurrection Cemetery, Bensalem.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 325 Chestnut St., Suite 725, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tomlinson Funeral Home, Bensalem