Obituary for Br. Kenneth Lucas, OFM Conv.
+Br. Kenneth Lucas, OFM Conv. was born in Watertown, NY on June 13, 1945, and passed away on April 6, 2021.
He was predeceased by his stepfather Thomas Clark, Sr, and mother Monica (Lawler) Clark and his sisters Monica Lucas, and Gwendolyn Fortune.
In his youth he lived in many different places. In addition to his Franciscan family, he leaves his brother Terry and his wife Carmella Lucas, Thomas Clark, Jr., Vincent Clark, Kathy Mulcahey, brother-in-law Don Fortune, and supportive friend James Doyle, OFM Conv.
After valiant service in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War (August 19, 1963 to August 18, 1967), and following his discharge, Brother Ken worked at an aluminum factory in Oswego, NY. He came to know the Franciscan Friars Conventual through Fr. Jeffry Keefe, OFM Conv., and entered the Novitiate in Staten Island, NY. Friar Ken professed his First Vows on August 5, 1978 and his Solemn Vows on August 14, 1981.
Working for many years within the community and behind the scenes in building and automobile maintenance, it was during his assignment at the Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine, in Fonda, NY that he was asked to be involved in prison ministry. With some fear and doubt, he took to the assignment and proved to be a natural in this ministry. He worked in prison ministry for almost 30 years, and he stated that “it was the most rewarding experiences of his life.”
His experience in the military also formed him. Every Memorial Day he would speak at Mass reflecting on his military experience. He often told the friars that he was honored to say that he was a former Marine and he stayed involved in Veterans Affairs throughout his life.
In May 2017, Brother Ken received the Centennial Medallion from Catholic Charities of Albany, NY, in gratitude for the commitment, generosity and passion he shared throughout decades of service. In his 2019 Spiritual Testimony on the Our Lady of the Angels Province website, he wrote: “Some advice I would give to someone considering a vocation would be simply take one day at a time! And to our student friars I would say believe in yourselves and never give up. God loves you.”
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2021, from 9 - 10:45 a.m., at Assumption Church, Syracuse, NY. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Assumption Cemetery, Syracuse, NY immediately following. Memorial Donations may be made to the Franciscan Education Burse, 12300 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042.
Funeral arrangements by Keegan-Osbelt-Knight Funeral Home in Syracuse.
He was predeceased by his stepfather Thomas Clark, Sr, and mother Monica (Lawler) Clark and his sisters Monica Lucas, and Gwendolyn Fortune.
In his youth he lived in many different places. In addition to his Franciscan family, he leaves his brother Terry and his wife Carmella Lucas, Thomas Clark, Jr., Vincent Clark, Kathy Mulcahey, brother-in-law Don Fortune, and supportive friend James Doyle, OFM Conv.
After valiant service in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War (August 19, 1963 to August 18, 1967), and following his discharge, Brother Ken worked at an aluminum factory in Oswego, NY. He came to know the Franciscan Friars Conventual through Fr. Jeffry Keefe, OFM Conv., and entered the Novitiate in Staten Island, NY. Friar Ken professed his First Vows on August 5, 1978 and his Solemn Vows on August 14, 1981.
Working for many years within the community and behind the scenes in building and automobile maintenance, it was during his assignment at the Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine, in Fonda, NY that he was asked to be involved in prison ministry. With some fear and doubt, he took to the assignment and proved to be a natural in this ministry. He worked in prison ministry for almost 30 years, and he stated that “it was the most rewarding experiences of his life.”
His experience in the military also formed him. Every Memorial Day he would speak at Mass reflecting on his military experience. He often told the friars that he was honored to say that he was a former Marine and he stayed involved in Veterans Affairs throughout his life.
In May 2017, Brother Ken received the Centennial Medallion from Catholic Charities of Albany, NY, in gratitude for the commitment, generosity and passion he shared throughout decades of service. In his 2019 Spiritual Testimony on the Our Lady of the Angels Province website, he wrote: “Some advice I would give to someone considering a vocation would be simply take one day at a time! And to our student friars I would say believe in yourselves and never give up. God loves you.”
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2021, from 9 - 10:45 a.m., at Assumption Church, Syracuse, NY. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Assumption Cemetery, Syracuse, NY immediately following. Memorial Donations may be made to the Franciscan Education Burse, 12300 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042.
Funeral arrangements by Keegan-Osbelt-Knight Funeral Home in Syracuse.