Brother Kenneth Lucas, OFM Conv., 75

In his youth, he lived in many different places. After valiant service in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War (Aug.19, 1963 to Aug. 18, 1967), and following his discharge, Brother Lucas worked at an aluminum factory in Oswego. He came to know the Franciscan Friars Conventual through Father Jeffrey Keefe, OFM Conv., and entered the Novitiate in Staten Island.

Friar Lucas professed his First Vows on Aug. 5, 1978 and his Solemn Vows on Aug. 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 that he was asked to be involved in prison ministry. With some fear and doubt, Brother Lucas took to the assignment and proved to be a natural. He worked in prison ministry for almost 30 years and he stated that “it was the most rewarding experience of his life.”

His experience in the military also formed him and, 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 of 2017, Brother Lucas received the Centennial Medallion — in gratitude for the commitment, generosity and passion he shared throughout decades of service — from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany. 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.”

Brother Lucas was predeceased by his stepfather, Thomas Clark, Sr., mother, Monica (Lawler) Clark and his sisters, Monica Lucas, and Gwendolyn Fortune.

In addition to his Franciscan family, he is survived by his brother, Terry, and sister-in-law, Carmella Lucas, Thomas Clark, Jr., Vincent Clark, Kathy Mulcahey, brother-in-law, Don Fortune, and supportive friend, James Doyle, OFM Conv.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held April 10 at Assumption Church in Syracuse. Memorial Donations may be made to the Franciscan Education Burse, 12300 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, Md., 21042.