Vincent DePaul Lukas

Lukas, Vincent dePaul

Ithaca: Vincent dePaul Lukas, age 90, of Ithaca, NY, passed away June 3, 2014. Vincent was born in Yonkers, NY to Joseph and Anna (Stramikas) Lukas, the youngest of four children. He served during WWII in the US Army Air Corps as a B-17 lead crew navigator, flying 30 missions in the European Theatre with the 388th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, England. First Lt. Lukas was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal and the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters. Following the war, he graduated from Manhattan College with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree. He was a member of Chi Epsilon, an Honorary Engineering Fraternity. He earned his Professional Engineer's license from the NYS Department of Education and later became licensed as an Asbestos Planner and Inspector. His career included facilities management at General Electric Company in Schenectady and Clyde, NY; Superintendent of Public Works, Newark, NY; Director of Engineering for the NYS Pure Waters Authority, in addition to having his own consulting business. Vincent was a life member of the K of C Council 277 and Elks Lodge 636, Ithaca, NY. Vincent is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Barbara Bennett Lukas; his daughter, Paula Lukas of Ithaca, NY; his sons, Joseph (Janice) of Davenport, FL, Michael (Lois) of Lithia, FL; seven grandchildren and two great-grandsons. Besides his parents, Vincent was predeceased by his daughter, Karen Lukas Hagar; and sisters, Jean McGregor, Florence Lang, and Constance Carpenter. A celebration of Vincent's life will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Church on Tuesday, June 10th. Friends may call from 10:30 to 11:30 prior to the 11:30 funeral mass officiated by the Rev. Joseph Marcoux. Burial will be private in Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contributions may be made to St. Catherine of Siena Church, 302 St. Catherine Circle, Ithaca, NY or the charity of one's choice. Bangs Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.