The Reverend Monsignor John J. Lucas, 75, died Wednesday, August 27th at UPMC Hamot Hospital in Erie.
Msgr. Lucas was born on February 13, 1939 in Grassflat, Pennsylvania, the son of Michael and Veronica (Kuzilla) Lucas, Sr. He is survived by 2 Siblings – Michael D. Lucas, Jr. and his wife, Marlene, of Erie, Pennsylvania, Maureen Lucas of Girard, Pennsylvania, a sister-in-law Shirley Lucas of Niagara Falls, New York, – as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Folmar, a brother, Andrew Lucas, and an infant sister, Agnes Lucas.
After attending elementary school in Grassflat and high school in Cooper Township, Pennsylvania, he entered St. Mark Seminary in Erie and attended Gannon College (1957-1959). He received his major seminary formation at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Erie on May 27, 1965 in St. Peter Cathedral by Bishop Frederick Hall.
Msgr. Lucas began his priestly ministry as a teacher at Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie, while serving as weekend assistant at Holy Family Parish, where he remained until 1967. In 1967, he was appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Thomas Parish in Corry (1967-1980). He was appointed Pastor of St. Hippolyte Parish in Guys Mills in 1980 and subsequently served as pastor at Our Lady Queen of the Americas in Conneaut Lake (1985-1998) and Holy Redeemer Parish in Warren (1998-2012). He was parochial administrator of St. Peter Parish, Conneautville in 1997. Msgr. Lucas served the Diocese as Dean of the Meadville Deanery for four years and of the Warren Deanery for more than a decade. He was also a member of the priests senate.
Msgr. Lucas was an active member and spiritual director of Cursillo in Crawford County, chaplain to the Knights of Columbus in Corry and a Fourth Degree Knight himself.
On October 27, 1996, Msgr. Lucas was made a Chaplain of His Holiness by Bishop Donald Trautman, with the attendant title of Monsignor.
He retired from active ministry in 2012, but continued to assist with parish Masses throughout the Erie region.
Visiting hours will be on Monday, September 1 at Holy Redeemer Church, 11 Russell Street, Warren, Pennsylvania from 2:00 – 8:00 pm, with the celebration of Evening Prayer beginning at 7:30 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Redeemer Church at 10:00 am Tuesday with The Most Reverend Lawrence T. Persico, Bishop of Erie, as the main celebrant. Burial will be at St. Gregory Roman Catholic Cemetery in North East, Pennsylvania.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bishop Michael J. Murphy Residence for Retired Priests, 400 East Gore Rd., Erie, PA 16509. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com
I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to Msr. Lucas. I was 9yrs old when he was the priest at Saint Hippolyte in Frenchtown his homilies were the best. He will be missed greatly.
Our deepest sympathy to the family of Msgr John Lucas. He was a wonderful, humble & dedicated priest who lived his life serving others. We were fortunate enough to be very close friends and will miss him. He suffered a lot for many years but never complained. He finally reached his ultimate goal of eternal life in heaven with Our Lord.
RIP Msgr Lucas ” Have I told you lately that I love you? I do you know”
I, Sam remember you as my Priest as well as a Fishng Companion over many years, and Mary and I enjoyed your frequent visits to the home @ Baleks Greenhouse
My deepest sympathy to the family of Msr. Lucas. I was very saddened by his passing. He will always hold a special spot in my families hearts. He was a very special man and Heaven has gained another Angel.
Scott Dorrion and Family
Williamsburg, Va.
So sad to find this sad news. Was looking forward to seeing him again at his ordination party he was looking forward to.
I will miss him.
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So sad to hear of Monsignor Lucas’ passing. He will always hold a special place in my heart. He was my dads best friend and he told me when I was 5 of my dads passing on Easter Sunday 1970. Growing up I would write to him and once visited him in a parish outside of Corry. Always in my heart –