Andre B. Lacy

Andre B. Lacy

- - Andre B. Lacy, chairman of Indianapolis-based LDI Ltd., philanthropist, civic leader and life-long resident of Indiana died at the age of 78, while riding his motorcycle across the wild and beautiful landscape of Southern Africa.

Lacy's final hours were spent exactly as he lived, experiencing adventure, and the excitement and lessons it has to offer. From white-water rafting the Green River, to sailing the Caribbean with his sons, to bungee jumping in New Zealand, to riding his motorcycle across China, Russia, Iceland and Africa, Lacy knew that living meant more than being alive.

Family, friends and business and civic associates knew Lacy as quick to offer support. Empowerment and accountability were the hallmarks of Lacy's personal style; he believed "everyone needs a boss" and "execution is everything."

Lacy's make-it-happen mentality began at an early age, when he worked for his grandfather's company and LDI's founding enterprise, U.S. Corrugated Fibre-Box. He worked his way through the corporate ranks as a sales representative, plant and regional manager, assistant secretary/treasurer and then chief executive officer of LDI.

As the third-generation leader of his family's business that began in 1912, Lacy learned early to take calculated risks and to use experience as a means of getting better. With his determined and optimistic mindset, Lacy guided the company from a small manufacturing operation to one of the largest private companies in Indiana with national and global interests in manufacturing, distribution and logistics.

Lacy retired as CEO in 2006, but retained his position as chairman of the board until his death.

He was a model of commitment - married for 53 years to Julia Lello Lacy, who passed away on New Year's Eve in 2016. Lacy often remarked "I married up when I married Julia," describing her as "my partner, my cheerleader, my advocate and my fan."

Throughout his life, Lacy was a catalyst and mentor to civic and business organizations and their leaders. Butler University and the Indiana State Fair in recent years were beneficiaries of Lacy's leadership, talent and generosity. In 2016, Lacy and his wife made a transformative gift to Butler University's School of Business, supporting its focus on entrepreneurship and family-owned businesses. As part of his efforts, Lacy mentored students until his death; he held office hours and was known for being on campus as reliably as faculty.

In 2012, Lacy and his wife seeded fundraising for the Indiana State Fair Coliseum, a building that Lacy called "the Grand Lady." Their donation, along with Lacy's leadership of the State Fair Commission, spurred contributions that led to the restoration of the iconic Indianapolis building.

Throughout the decades, Lacy served on numerous civic and corporate boards, including as chair of the Indianapolis School Board, United Way of Central Indiana, and the Indiana State Fair Commission. Former Governors Mitch E. Daniels, Robert D. Orr, and Roger D. Branigin each recognized Lacy as a Sagamore of the Wabash.

Lacy was a 1957 Shortridge High School graduate and went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Denison University in Ohio.

Lacy was preceded in death by his beloved wife Julia; he is survived by his three sons John Andre Lacy (Elizabeth), Mark W. Lacy (Julie Fisher), and Peter L. Lacy (Jill); his nine grandchildren, Rhodes, Julia, Ellis, Jose, Meghan, Rachel, Callahan, Emma and Miranda; and his sister-in-law Carolyn Pfrommer (Paul).

Lacy was recently honored with several lifetime awards, including the Whistler Award for his dedication to Indianapolis. In accepting the award, Lacy shared these words, reflective of how he made decisions and lived: "Each of us has the power to be a catalyst… to discover something new… to strike out in new directions… and to push beyond the status quo. Yet no matter what our sphere in life, or our resources, we all have an opportunity to leave things better than we found them. We can all say 'I'm in!' - and move our community from good to great."

A celebration of life will take place at 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15 at Butler University in Clowes Memorial Hall. Memorial donations may be made to the Andre and Julia Lacy Scholarship, c/o Butler University; Culver Academies Summer Schools & Camps Program Fund; the Community Leadership Innovation Fund at Central Indiana Community Foundation; and the Boy Scouts Crossroads of America Council.