Francis M. "Big Luke" Lucas, 86, of Methuen died on Friday March 11, 2011 at Sutton Hill Nursing Center, North Andover. Mr Lucas was born, raised and educated in Lawrence and lived in Lawrence for many years before moving to Methuen in 1987. Fran served with The US Navy during WW II and Korea and also served for many years with The US Naval Reserve. He retired from The Naval Reserve in 1995. For many years, he worked as a letter carrier with the Lawrence branch of The US Postal Service. More recently he worked in para-mutuals at Rockingham Park, Salem, NH. He retired at the age of 83. Fran was a member of The Stopyra Post and The Sons of Italy both of Lawrence. He was an avid golfer and a past member of Andover Country Club. He loved card playing and making trips to Las Vegas. He enjoyed vacationing with his family at the beach.
The widower of Mary R. (Fillipon) Lucas his family members include his son, F. Michael, Jr. and his wife, Lauren (Fusco) Lucas of Salem, NH and his daughters, Teresa A. and Glenn Fleming of Lawrence, Tricia and her husband, Walter Roberts of Hampstead, NH and Judy Lucas of Methuen. He leaves his brother, Thomas and his wife, Eileen Lucas of Methuen and his grandchildren, Elizabeth and her husband, Casey Conway, Carrie and her husband, Nick Sirois and Jenna and Michael Lucas and his great granddaughter, Sophia. and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves his longtime companion, Carol Corcoran and he was pre-deceased by his brother, Leonard Lucas and sister, Jennie Kozlowski.
Calling hours will be on Wednesday March 16, 2011 from 4 to 8 pm at The Charles F. Dewhirst Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen. A Funeral Mass will be on Thursday March 17 at 10:00 am in St Michaels Church, N. Andover. The burial will be in St Mary Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 1430, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45250 or to The Amercan Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.