John L. Lucchese

Local restauranteur and family man John L. "Poppy" Lucchese, 96, of Elkhart, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Esther's House in Elkhart Center for Hospice Care.

John was made in Italy and born in the USA on Dec. 28, 1927, in Elkhart to the late Frank "Cheech" and Maria Grazia "Iucch" (Turzo) Lucchese. He was preceded in death by his sister Josephine and her husband Michael Dibley, brother Frank Lucchese and wife Kay, brother Leonard Lucchese, daughter-in-law Ann Lucchese, great-grandson Zion Prince, as well as countless other family members and dear friends.

On Nov. 24, 1955, John married Kathleen Kretschmer in Elkhart, Indiana. She survives along with two daughters, Michele (Darin Elswick) Lucchese of Vandalia, Michigan, and Julie (Michael) Robins of Carmel; six sons: John (Diane) of Elkhart, David (Lisa) of Las Vegas, NV, Gino (Cynthia) of Indianapolis, Gregory of Elkhart, Matthew (Mary) of Indianapolis and Patrick (Mary) of Elkhart. Also surviving are 21 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren, one sister, Mary Lucchese of Elkhart, and two brothers: Dr. Anthony (Linda) Lucchese of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Ralph (Michelle) Lucchese of Elkhart.

John Lucchese lives on in all our memories as a man of faith, kindness, dedication, and strong will. He was loyal to his large family and many friends, routinely caring for and feeding anyone who came to sit at the family table. Profoundly proud of his Italian American heritage, he was often found working hard in his garden or kitchen, passing down the recipes and wisdom of his parents to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He maintained a strong connection to Volturara Appula, Italy, where his roots originated. John's stories bridged the old and the new, connecting generations to one another, across streets and continents.

A 1946 graduate of Elkhart High School, John went on to serve in the U.S. Army and then became a fireman with Elkhart Fire Department. He was a member of St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church and the I.A.R.A. (Italian American Relief Association).

He will be best remembered for co-founding Lucchese's Italian Restaurant & Deli with his beloved wife, Kathy. Over the course of 38 years, the couple, with love and dedication, nourished, hosted and took pride in their high-quality food and treating each guest like family. Working alongside was their eldest, Michele, who delighted in her morning prep with "Daddy Darling."

He was honored to be godfather to many of his friends' children as well as an unofficial godfather to countless more. All who loved him knew Poppy as a "scorcher," a joking man with a good one liner at the ready, all the way through to the very end.

Visitation for John will be held on Friday, May 3, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 411 W. Vistula St., Bristol, Indiana, where the Holy Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 5 p.m. with friend, Father Bob VanKempen officiating. Burial will take place on Saturday, May 4, at 1 p.m. at St. Vincent Cemetery in Elkhart. Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home is responsible for arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in memory of John Lucchese to St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 411 W. Vistula St., Bristol, IN 46507, or to Esther's House at Center for Hospice Care, 22579 Old U.S. 20 East, Elkhart, IN 46516.

To leave the family an online condolence, please visit the funeral website at www.hartzlergutermuthinman.com.