Rev. Fr. Edward M. Lucas
October 20, 1935 ~ January 7, 2018
Reverend Father Edward M. Lucas, 82, fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday January 7, 2018, at his home in White Oak, PA.
Born October 20, 1935, in Yonkers, NY, he was the son of the late Michael and Mary Hirko Lucas.
He received the Mysteries of Initiation at his home church, Saint Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Yonkers, NY.
A former State Trooper in New York, Fr. Ed graduated from Duquesne University, and the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, PA. He was ordained into the priesthood on December 6, 1961.
After serving multiple parishes for 54 years, Reverend Father Edward Lucas retired as the Pastor of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Weirton, WV and Saint John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, in Avella, PA, where he served both parishes from 1997 to 2015. Other parishes which were blessed to have Father Ed serve were St. Mary’s in Duquesne, PA; St. Ann’s in Clymer, PA; St Peter and Paul in Patton, PA; St. Basil in East Chicago, IN; St. Ann’s in Chicago, IL; Holy Trinity Hungarian, Chicago, IL; St. Nicholas in Youngstown, OH; Holy Transfiguration, McKeesport, PA; and Saint Elias in Munhall, PA.
He is survived by his brother, Frank Lucas of New York; nephew Edward Lucas; and niece Catherine Lucas, his church family and his caretaker, Connie Dubyak.
Visitation will be 2-4 PM Thursday at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, 176 Cross Creek Road, Avella, PA, with Parastas service at 4:00 PM. Additional visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 Friday at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, 3116 Elm Street, Weirton, WV with Parastas service at 7:00 PM.
Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated 10 AM Saturday at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, with the Archbishop of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy, Eminence William C. Skurla, D.D. as the main celebrant.
Rev. Fr. Larry Dorsch will deliver the homily,
Rev. Fr. Vasyl Symyon and fellow Byzantine Catholic Priests will serve on the altar and will serve as his pall bearers.
Interment will follow at St. Paul Cemetery, Weirton WV.
Funeral arrangements are in the care of the Greco Hertnick Funeral Home 3219 Main Street Weirton, WV 26062
Share tributes at www.grecohertnick.com. 304-748-3219
We are sad to learn Father Ed needed to answer God’s call home at this time. We fondly remember how much his “shepherding” meant to our parents and extended family during his tenure at St. Mary’s in Weirton. His pastoral counsel was valued and appreciated when our own parents answered God’s call home. May God continue to bless Father Ed and all who love him.
Walt & Rita Tuchalski
Gettysburg, PA
Fr. Ed was always so gracious and understanding. He worked hard to keep St. Mary’s flourishing and was a constant for the parishioners. We all loved him for his kindness and wisdom.
Certainly Fr. Ed was a spiritual father to the people of Weirton and Avella during the years of his shepherding the people of those areas. Our heavenly Father has now called him to be part of the angelic hosts around the throne. He will not be forgotten for all his pastoral messages and words of guidance, his prayerful spirit and overall joy in living one’s life in God’s grace. Heartfelt sympathy and prayerful support to all those who mourn his loss.
Stanley T. Tuchalski – Kissimmee, FL
Father Ed married me in 1984 at St. Mary’s in Duquesne, PA. I will never forget meeting with him before the wedding and asking him why we were not permitted to have music during the wedding. He finally agreed to allow my good friends to play the guitar and sing only BEFORE the ceremony.
My father, Joseph Rinkacs, was the cantor at St. Mary’s , and he and Father Ed were very good friends.
Father Ed touched many lives. May he rest in eternal peace.
Renae Rinkacs Pomycala, Pasadena, MD