Dr. Richard Lunna

Dr. Richard Lunna

AGE: 90 • South Plainfield

Dr. Richard Lunna, 90, died on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ. Born October 22, 1921 in Newport Vermont, the eighth of ten children of John and Kate Lunna. He grew up on a dairy farm and attended a six room schoolhouse for twelve years and later attended the University of Vermont for two and half years before enlisting in the Air Corps. He became a fighter pilot and joined the famous Hells Hawks 365th fighter Squadron in World War II. He flew 77 missions from bases in France, Belgium, and 2 bases inside Germany before being awarded with Belgium Croix de Guerre Medal and the Air Force Medal with Five Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. Upon the completion of his military service as a First Lieutenant, he was fortunate to be admitted that same Fall to the Veterinary College at Cornell University and graduated in June 1949. He married Jewel Olive Bartter of Columbia Station, Ohio on July 23, 1949 and they began living in Somerville, NJ where Dr. Lunna was employed at the Somerville Veterinary Clinic. In 1952, Dr. Lunna established the Plainfield Animal Hospital and later enjoyed a partnership with LeRoy S. Roemer, DVM and Andrew Major, VMD. After forty years of practice he retired in 1989.

He served as a trustee and attending veterinarian for the Plainfield Area Humane Society for many years. In addition, was instrumental in introducing the spay/neutering program for adopted pets, was an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the NJ Metropolitan Veterinary Medical Association.

As an active member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, he also served as a trustee for twenty years and was also a member of the South Plainfield Rotary Club, served as President, and in 1981 was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship, a well as, a life member of the South Plainfield VFW Memorial Post #6763.

In retirement Dr. Lunna and his wife Jewel enjoyed traveling throughout the USA and to foreign countries. They enjoyed their retreat home in Vermont for 35 years where they skied, played golf and tennis.

Dr. Lunna was predeceased by his wife Jewel, who died February 16, 2008. Surviving are his sister; Eleanor Dumais of Marlborough, MA, a son; Todd Lunna and his wife Eileen Bartell, of Colts Neck, NJ and a daughter; Jerree Lunna of Mendon, VT. He is also survived by his grand stepson, Thomas Bartell and Amanda Weinberg and their son, Lucas Bartell.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 11:00 AM in Wesley United Methodist Church, 1500 Plainfield Ave. South Plainfield, NJ 07080. A memorial gathering for family and friends will be held on Wednesday from 7-9 PM in the McCriskin - Gustafson Home For Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Ave. South Plainfield, NJ 07080. www.mccriskinfuneralhome.com Memorial Contributions may be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church or to the Plainfield Area Humane Society, 75 Rock Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060.