Vincent J. Luke Lukas Obituary (2012)

CAPE ELIZABETH - Vincent J. "Luke" Lukas, 90, of Vernon Road, died Monday, May 7, 2012 at his home. He was born in Kingston, New York the son of Walter and Pelagia Lukas. He attended local schools there. Following high school he enlisted and served in the United States Army during World War II. In 1941, Vincent was stationed at Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth; it was there that he met the love of his life, Nellie Piszczak at a USO Dance. They were married on February 6, 1943. Together they made their home and raised a family in Cape Elizabeth. In 1945, he was discharged from the military and then went to work at Jordan Meats for a brief period before taking a job doing carpentry with George Lewis. During that time he also served as president of the Carpenters Union Local 517. He later went to work for Rufus Deering Lumber as a sales manager, a position he held for more than seventeen years before retiring in the early 80's. Vincent was a very skilled handyman, always needing to keep busy; he was constantly working on projects around his home, building things and working in his yard. He was a fan of all the New England Sports teams but was admittedly a Yankee's fan at heart. He loved playing golf with friends and spending winters with his wife in the Hawaiian Islands. He was also a lifelong communicant of St. Louis Catholic Church in Portland. His happiest memories were the times he spent surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Vincent was predeceased by his wife Nellie Piszczak Lukas in 2001 and an infant son Vincent J. Lukas Jr. Survivors include a daughter Waleria Ann Swift of Cape Elizabeth, three grandchildren Matt Swift of Cape Elizabeth, Erika and her husband Jay Holtermannn of San Diego, CA, Amanda Swift and companion Jimmy Alatishe of Washington, DC, four great grandchildren Benjamin Swift, Sage and Luke Holtermann, Khaleel Alatishe, a sister in law Jane Radziucz of Cape Elizabeth; several nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, May 11, 2012 from 5:00 to 8:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 9:15 on Saturday, May 12, 2012 followed by a 10:00am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Louis Church, 279 Danforth Street, Portland, ME. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, 1461 Broadway, South Portland. Those who wish may make memorial contributions in Vincent's memory to: Maine Veterans Home, Residential Care Facility, c/o Pam Capelle, 290 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074Online condolences may be expressed below.