Louis M. Canter, aka Lantana Lou, gained notoriety for donning a cape, a crown and carrying a colorful, cutout fish on Groundhog Day to predict Lantana’s next six weeks of weather. Photo provided
By Mary Thurwachter
LANTANA — It’s been a decade since Louis M. Canter, aka Lantana Lou, made his final splash at the beach, emerging on Groundhog Day to predict “six weeks of sunny weather.” Wearing a jeweled crown and snazzy cape and carrying a trident and a large cutout fish, he was Lantana’s answer to Punxsutawney Phil every Feb. 2.
Mr. Canter hung up his eye-catching regalia in 2014, after a beloved 10-year stint as Lantana Lou.
On Dec. 6, 2024, Mr. Canter, 94, a former vice mayor of Lantana, died at his home surrounded by family and close friends.
“Mr. Canter has given much time and devotion to residents of Lantana and has earned the respect and admiration of the community at large for his wisdom and community spirit,” former Mayor Dave Stewart said at the time.
“As Lantana Lou, he brought favorable recognition to the town through television and newspapers and amused hundreds of residents over the years.”
Current Mayor Karen Lythgoe shared her admiration for Mr. Canter at December’s Town Council meeting and said she wanted the town to honor him with a plaque at the beach.
Twenty-year Council member Lynn “Doc” Moorhouse said Mr. Canter was an admired council member who encouraged him to run for office.
Palm Springs Village Manager Mike Bornstein, who was Lantana’s town manager when the concept of Lantana Lou was born, said organizers of the Groundhog Day celebration were looking for someone who looked like a retiree to play the part and Mr. Canter, who was on the Town Council, fit the bill.
“He was incredibly gracious and had fun with it,” Bornstein said. “Mr. Canter was always very direct. You always knew where you stood with Lou.”
Longtime friend Norbert McNamara, who made Lantana Lou’s cape and trident, admired his friend’s community service.
“You couldn’t have a better councilman,” McNamara said. “He was honest and fair.”
Mr. Canter was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Nancy Olian Canter, and his grandson Nathaniel Canter.
He is survived by his children Rebecca (Jon) Ryan, Edie Canter (Fred Wellisch), Marcia Canter, and Andrew Canter (Jane Fraser); his grandchildren Daniel Ryan (Alexis Scheer), Rachel Ryan, Leah Ryan, Julia Wellisch and Benjamin Canter; his brother Edward (Lynn) Canter; his sister Patricia McCue; and other relatives and friends.
He was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, in 1930, graduated from Boston University in 1951, and served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 before starting his real estate career. First an agent and then a developer, he built hundreds of homes in the Boston suburbs.
Mr. Canter had a full and successful life, said his daughter Marcia, a Realtor herself. She will miss their weekly discussions on real estate. She said he did a lot of good things in life, but “wasn’t seeking accolades.” He just did what he thought was right.
Mr. Canter and Nancy married in 1955 and raised their four children in Framingham, Massachusetts, where he was involved in Temple Beth Am. He owned racehorses, flew a small plane, and played many games of gin rummy.
In 1986, the Canters moved to Lantana, where he enjoyed fishing in his boat.
He developed many close friendships in Lantana, his daughter Edie wrote in his obituary, “including fishing buddies, his regular lunch group at the Grumpy Grouper and The Hive, and people involved in town politics.”
He joined the Lantana zoning commission, then Town Council and eventually became vice mayor.
The Canters enjoyed domestic and international travel during their retirement. Mr. Canter’s most recent trip was a visit to Washington, D.C., through Southeast Florida Honor Flight for veterans.
Funeral services were on Dec. 17 at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel in Boynton Beach. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Canter’s memory can be made to Southeast Florida Honor Flight, www.honorflightsefl.org.
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