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BORN
1929
DIED
2014
FUNERAL HOME
Edward Luca Obituary
Rev. Luca attended Holy Trinity Parochial School, Lorain, Ohio, and graduated from Saint Mary High School, Lorain, Ohio. He then attended Sacred Heart College, Detroit, Michigan and St. Mary Theological Seminary, Cleveland, Ohio.
He was ordained a priest at St. John Cathedral in Cleveland on December 18, 1954 by Archbishop Edward F. Hoban.
Rev Luca served as Associate Pastor at St. Wendelin Church, and St. John Cathedral in Cleveland.
His graduate studies took him to Rome, Italy at the Pontifical Lateran University from 1958-1961, obtaining a Doctor of Canon Law degree (J.C.D.) in June of 1961.
He was a member of the Diocesan Tribunal of Cleveland from 1961-1990 (serving as Presiding Judge from 1974-1979). He was the Personal Secretary to Bishop Clarence G. Issenmann from 1968-1977; Administrator at St. Basil Church in Breckville, Ohio from 1977-1980; Moderator of Diocesan Council of Priests from 1981-1985; Director of Clergy Personnel from 1985- 1990; Past Chaplain at Our Lady of the Lake, Knights of Columbus, Appointed Pastor of Saint Teresa Avila Parish in Sheffield, Ohio in January of 1990, and appointed as Adjutant Vicar of the Inter-diocesan Appeal Court for the State of Ohio and Washington, D.C. also in 1990.
He is survived by his sister Mrs. Marceline J. Downie of Lorain, Ohio, brother Raymond J. (Margaret) Luca of Springfield, Virginia, and beloved friend and caregiver Maureen Flynn.
He was preceded in death by his parents John F. and Mary A. (nee Stohla) Luca and sister Bernadette (Albert) Robertson.
Entered into rest Monday October 20, 2014 at his home.
Vespers will be celebrated by Bishop Richard Lennon on Thursday, October 23, in Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 1454 Lexinton Avenue, Lorain, OH 44052, at 3:00 p.m. The wake will continue until 8:00 p.m, also Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
The Funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, October 24 in Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church at 11:00 a.m. Bishop Roger Gries will be the main celebrant and Fr. James Vesely will be the homilist.
Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Lorain, Ohio.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Edward Luca
Sponsored by morningjournal.com.
November 5, 2014
Ray (and Maggi and family):
Please accept our sympathy and condolences on the passing of your brother, Fr. Ed Luca. He certainly left a wonderful legacy of service and support to the people to whom he ministered as a priest based on the many kind and appreciative condolence messages we have read.below. His appears to have been a full life well lived! That is something that we can all hope to have said about us when our time comes.
Pat and Gerry Nathe
Michael Przybysz
October 31, 2014
To the Family of Father Luca- My heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Heaven gained a Saint. I enjoyed meeting Father at St. Adalbert Parish in Berea Ohio where he would help with Masses during the week and weekend. He last Mass here he brought his pictures of himself as a young priest in Rome and had them on the altar for the parish to look at. After that Mass I walked out the door and there was Father Ed sitting in the car- sideways with Polkas playing on his car radio and he was smoking a cigarette. His foot was tapping away and was in such a good mood. My best memory and one I will always remember. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Thank you Father Luca for your life and the lessons you taught as you lived your journey.
October 30, 2014
With heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends,I am without words,Bless me Father. Barbara McGuire
Olin DePolo
October 27, 2014
I have never had the pleasure of meeting Fr. Ed but am life long good friends with his
brother, Ray. From the many condolences I have read, Fr. Ed was truly a saint on earth who inspired numerous legions of friends and family...Ray..how blessed you are
to have your brother in Heaven praying for you, Maggi and your family.Fr. Ed will be in my daily prayers..
Olin
October 25, 2014
RE: Fr. Ed: Having a deep devotion to St. Therese, the Little Flower, I asked her for a white rose to be HANDED to me if Ed was in heaven w/her.
Before services, the florist HANDED me an arrangement & I placed it on the photo table.
At the cemetary, dear Lucy Greeney, HANDED me
this same arrangement to take home. Awoke this am thinking I didn't get my white rose.. OR DID I? Looked at the arrangement and there were 2 white roses in it. Thank you St. Therese....enjoy Ed's LOVE. Marcie Luca Downie
Diane Santos
October 24, 2014
Dear Father Ed,
I would like to thank You for being there for my Dad Gerald Boone in his last stages of Alzheimer's. You were such a comfort for my mother, your cousin Betty Jane, and for our entire family. The homily you gave at his funeral gave us all hope. My mother has fond memories of you being there for all the Luca family gatherings, happy or sad, and when she
was a "flower girl" for your first Mass at Holy
Trinity. We will all miss you greatly but we know you are with Jesus and your family in Heaven.
Nicole Konkoly
October 24, 2014
Father Luca, you were the reason I looked forward to mass on Sundays. Your sermons were always insightful and delivered with your unique humor and wit. I know that you will be smiling down upon us. You will always live in our hearts and prayers.
kimberly Martin
October 23, 2014
Dear Father Luca I will miss you so much. You have always been there during our families time of need. You proceeded over both my grandma's and grandpa's funeral service. You also proceeded over my brothers service almost 2 years ago. I will always remember you with a smile on you face. Rest in peace with the angels.
Valerie Deptula
October 23, 2014
I only knew Fr Luca for a short time since he began filling in at Nativity. I enjoyed serving mass with him. He was a kind, insightful, funny man and a wonderful priest. We will miss him at Nativity and we thank him for his service. God Bless.
Maureen Slaven
October 23, 2014
Ed was truly one of a kind. As a priest, he inspired, uplifted, consoled, supported, celebrated and mourned with, and deeply listened to many people. Ed truly had a gift. As my uncle, "Pops", he was a constant support in my life. He came to all of my school plays and musicals. He was ay every holiday celebration, every birthday. He took me on a road trip to Washington DC when I was in high school. He took me to get my hair cut at a fancy salon when he knew how much that would mean to a 14 year old girl. :-) My favorite memories of Ed are sitting around my mom's house or the table at his home at St. Teresa's in Sheffield, drinking gallons of coffee and hearing all of the stories of "the old days". Pops, you will leave a permanent hole in this family unit and in my heart. You are irreplaceable. Yet, I can just imagine your joyful face as you danced with Jesus on the day you returned home. And I celebrate with Heaven that you are joyfully at peace.
Farewell Uncle Ed
Edward Robertson
October 23, 2014
As my family prepares to bury my dear Uncle Ed
with services today and tomorrow, I find great
comfort in reading your remarks. One human life can make a big difference to so many. Fr. Ed Luca did this with his life. We were all blessed to know him and learn from him.
I especially remember my childhood and teenage years in the 1960s & 1970s as ever so
joyful. God Bless you Uncle/Fr Ed - your
journey on earth is over and now is your true
beginning of which you devoted your life's work.
JOAN DARGO
October 23, 2014
R.I.P. Father Luca. YOU WERE ONE OF A KIND. May God hold you in his loving arms
Tim Downie
October 22, 2014
These warm loving comments are much appreciated by our whole family. Thank you all. As his nephew, I remember many a Christmas where he'd come, tired out from so many services, but still looking forward to relaxing to a nice dinner with his family. There was never an Easter or Christmas that went by where he didn't bring presents for all of us nieces and nephews. He loved sitting around our dining room tables, catching up on family news, and sharing his own stories. He would heartily laugh at many stories that were shared, never laughing at the person, but finding humor in any situation. He always was interested in how things were going for us kids, in school, activities...he took an interest in us as people. We have lost a very dear member of our family, but are the better for having him in our lives.
Rose Ann Kay
October 22, 2014
I met Fr. Luca as he was the one who married my parents. Mom & Dad say they were Fr. Luca's first wedding June, 1955 at St. Wendelin Parish in Cleveland OH. I remember seeing Fr. Luca at various St. Wendelin functions over the years and though I didn't have the opportunity to know him well, he was always kind and smiling.
My parents, Bernard & Elizabeth Javorek, and I extend our heartfelt sympathy to Fr. Luca's family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rose Ann (Javorek) and Jim Kay
October 22, 2014
Ed Robertson and family we are so sorry to hear about your loss. Fr. Luca was a great and caring man and will be missed.
Jim and Terri Davis
October 22, 2014
I knew Fr. Luca when I attended St. Wendelin School in Cleveland, Ohio. He was an assistant priest and very loving and kind to us children.
In recent years we were reacquainted when he said Mass at St. Luke and Transfiguration Churches in Lakewood. It was like meeting an old friend each time we met him. What a blessed and good priest!
You are already missed. R.I.P.
Barbara and Al Kovalik, Washington, DC
Celia Bajda
October 22, 2014
Fr. Luca gave the best hugs ever! You'd get all wrapped up in his vestments. It was the best feeling. Thank you Fr.
October 22, 2014
Dear Brother Eddie: I have learned many lessons in life from you: compassion for the dying, enormous love for hospice patients, to cheer the lonely & to love the abandoned. I loved spending the last week of your life w/ you. You were kind & loving to every dr./nurse/visitor. I will fill the void in my life doing what you taught me. YOU WERE MY ROCK! Thank you for always being there for me, my children & my grandchildren. I LOVE YOU! Your sister, Marcie (My-My) X0X0X
Barbara Reali
October 21, 2014
Fr. Ed you will be missed, your kind spirit and ever willingness to try to help everyone. My condolences to your family in this time of need. Rest in peace dear friend.
Maureen Coughlin
October 21, 2014
He was a WONDERFUL MAN & PRIEST! I'll miss him as a great confessor. Rest in God's loving arms Fr. Ed thanks for all your help with masses & confessions wherever I was serving & needed your help..
Fran Makuh
October 21, 2014
Fr. Ed I will miss your infectious laugh and your loving nature. You were a joy to be around and provided comfort to our family so many times.
To Marcie, Ray, Maggie and all of his nieces and nephews: my deepest sympathy to you all this is truly a deep loss for your family.
Denise Makuh
October 21, 2014
I am so very sorry for our whole family's loss. May God comfort all of us in this time of grief.
Debbie Conway
October 21, 2014
From.Debbie Conway. I will miss my friend today.Father Luca brought such joy to this world and to all the churches he served in. He brought comport to so many of us,how do we say goodbye to our friend. How do I say goodbye! "I will always Love you and cherish our times together. I know you our with our Lord now. You have earned a place in heaven. So I will go on and put a smile on my face and pray that I will meet you in heaven some day,be it the will of our Lord. So see you later my dearest friend. God bless you. Forever and always.
Michael Pauley
October 21, 2014
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
Joann Gibson
October 21, 2014
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
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