John A. Lucas

LUCAS, John A.
D-Day Veteran
Age 95, of Elmira, NY, died on Saturday, October 27, 2007, at the Bath VA Hospital. Born June 6, 1912, Mildred, Pennsylvania, to the late Joseph and Rose Lucas, both of Lithuanian heritage. Also predeceased by his wife, Mary V. (Rusin) Lucas; sister, Anne Kline. He is survived by son, Richard, a combat journalist living in Aix-en-Provence, France; and brother, Albert Lucas of Elmira; nephews, nieces, and numerous great-nieces and nephews. John served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1941 through 1945. He was in the infantry and received two Bronze Stars, the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medals, and the American Defense Service Medal. John celebrated his 32nd birthday in a landing barge heading toward Omaha Beach with the 116th Combat Infantry Regiment. He went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge and the Fall of Berlin. After the War, he moved to Elmira and was employed by Thatcher Glass Mfg. Co.; he retired in 1978 with 35 years of service. He was an active member of St. Cecelia Catholic Parish. Throughout his life he was an avid outdoorsman. He took up painting and participated in many local and regional exhibitions where his wildlife and landscape paintings received praise and admiration. He became well-known for his paintings of upstate New York and of Sullivan County in the old days, many from memory of those good years. John loved to travel, he toured Europe and especially enjoyed his visit to his ancestral home of Lithuania. In 2002, he was invited as a special guest by the French Army to ceremonies held at the 8th Paratroop Regiment where he was honored for his participation in the Normandy Invasion. Friends may call at the BAKER FAMILY FUNERAL HOME on Sunday, November 4, from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter and Paul's Church, Elmira, on Monday, November 5, at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Walter Wainwright, Celebrant. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, with Full Military Honors. Flowers are welcome or those wishing may make memorials to a charity of one's choice.