My Father, My Rock, My Daddy, My Forever Hero
The day my father was buried someone told me "I lost my Hero."
Then they continued to say, "But that’s OK because some people never have a hero."
He has gone to Heaven to now be our Angel to help watch over
us and keep us safe.
He is gone of this earth, but lives on...waiting for the day we’ll meet again.
Joseph "Joe" Lucido Sr. was born in Detroit on November 1, 1933. He was the youngest of seven children born to Vincent and Frances Lucido (he was 20 years younger than his only sister, Angela). His father was a fruit peddler who worked with a horse and buggy. When Joe was eight years old, his father passed away. As World War II began, three of his four brothers left for the service, leaving one brother at home to help his widowed mother. They shared a two-family flat with his sister and her son, Sonny, who was 18 months younger than Joe. (Angela’s husband was also serving overseas in the war.)
Joe attended South Eastern High School in Detroit. His mother passed away in 1954, when he was almost 21. He then lived with his sister until he was drafted into the Army.
In November of 1955, Joe was preparing to move to California to start a new life with his brothers. At his going-away party, he met his future wife, Marie. Needless to say, his stay in California was brief because he had to return to be with “My Marie” (as he called her). He came home from California to be with his sweetheart and ask for her hand in marriage. Soon after their engagement he was drafted into the Army.
While in the service, he trained at boot camp in Texas and then served in Germany for 18 months. His love affair and engagement with Marie lasted long distance until he returned home from the service in August 1958. They married in October of that year.
In 1961, Joe and Marie built their first house in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. They made this their home for 34 years. Their three children were born in this home: Vince, named after his father; Joe Jr., named after himself; and his daughter Frances, named after his mother.
He was very proud of this home that he helped build with his own hands. He loved working in the yard, taking care of every blade of grass. He would often ask his family to take a walk with him to "look at his grounds." He also had the neatest, cleanest garage and gutters (waxed) in the Shores.
Joe co-owned a collision shop, Auto City Collision, with his brother for 20 years. He worked in the collision business until his retirement in 1988. He was previously employed with Cadillac Gage from 1959 to 1968. He had his first massive heart attack and triple bypass surgery at the age of 49. Health reasons caused his early retirement.
In 1987, he helped his sons open their first jewelry store. After 12 years of great success, they built their own jewelry store from the ground up, known today as Lucido Fine Jewelry in Sterling Heights, Michigan.
Joe loved to go to lunch with his friends and play Gin Rummy (and not go back to work!). His favorite part of the day was waiting for the phone call from one of his buddies to figure out where they were going to have lunch and hang out for the afternoon.
The most important thing in Joe’s life was his family. He loved his children and grand children very much. He was extremely proud of all his children and their accomplishments. He was happiest when he had his children, their spouses, his grandchildren, his wife and mother-in-law in the same room. His favorite thing to do in the summer was go on a picnic with his family. He’d start asking three months early, “When are we having our picnic?” He always made sure we had lots of food, not normal picnic food, but frittatas, steak, amoglio, Italian subs on hard rolls, and even calamari.
In 1993, Joe had his second heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery. Following surgery, he enjoyed another seven years of being with his family and friends. He spent his days with his two sons at the jewelry store and went home to his wonderful wife who always took such good care of him.
In December 2001, Joe had a bad stroke, causing the final illness that kept him down. He fought very hard to survive, but couldn’t beat it. He spent five months in the hospital with his wife by his side every minute of the day and night. He left the hospital and had 2 weeks at home. In his final days, his family spent a lot of time visiting and caring for him. On the morning of May 10, 2002, with his wife right next to him, Joe fell asleep and peacefully went to Heaven, never to wake again.
His legacy continues with his children, their spouses, and grandchildren to carry on his kindness and generosity. He is survived by his wife, Marie; his children, Vince, Joe Jr., and Frani; his sister, Angela; his brothers, Jack, Tony, and Nick; his daughters-in-law, Fran and Chris; his son-in-law, Mark; his mother-in-law Ida (who he loved and was loved by like his own mother); and his grandchildren, Joe, JoeJoe, Jackie, Jake, Anthony Jenna, Julia, Jordan, and Alanna. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Sam.
He is so loved by many and missed more than words can say.
The family invites you to share your memories about Joe or express your thoughts and prayers to his family in the Guest Book.
