Eternal Memory: +Very Rev. Fr. Robert Lucas (Updated 12/15/23)
Saturday, December 9, 2023
JOHNSTOWN, PA - [Diocesan Chancery] -- With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Very Rev. Fr. Robert Lucas, pastor of Saint Paul the Apostle Orthodox Church in Freehold, NJ, after over 64 years of service in the active priesthood, reposed in the Lord peacefully on Wed December 6, 2023 at the age of 86.
The Very Reverend Robert E Lucas was born to Anna (Rjabec) and John Lucas (Lukacs) on December 2, 1937, in Scranton, PA. From his very early childhood, he felt a calling to the priesthood and committed his young life to his budding vocation by first serving Our Lord on the altar as an acolyte at Saint Nicholas Church, his home parish.
Father Robert was an alumnus of West Scranton High School where he was elected class president in his sophomore year. Upon graduation at age 17, he entered the Orthodox Christian Seminary of Christ the Savior in Johnstown, PA. It was there he met his lifelong best friend, our diocese's Metropolitan Nicholas of Blessed Memory. Over the decades, it was our family's joy to witness their dedicated friendship and shared devotion to our people's language, customs and culture. We will always fondly remember the sounds of them singing their beloved prostopinije chant together.
Father Robert possessed a zealous commitment to learning and education, both for himself and especially as a teacher to others. After his commencement from the seminary with a Licentiate of Sacred Theology, he completed his undergraduate studies and earned his master's degree at Villanova University, and then pursued his Doctorate at Fordham University. Throughout his life, he was celebrated for his exceptional writing talent, contributing an abundance of articles and essays to numerous Orthodox and Catholic regional and national publications. Most notably, his weekly church bulletins were a labor of love, and the sermons he preached were composed and reverently delivered with both keen scholarship and great care.
On June 13, 1959, Seminarian Robert was joined in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony to Marlene Zuder at her home church of Saint George, Taylor, PA. Throughout his life, Pani Marlene was a faithful and devoted companion, cheerfully serving alongside him in immeasurable ways throughout his ministry, truly "clothed in strength and dignity" (Proverbs 31-25).
He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Metropolitan Orestes P. Chornock, D.D. of Blessed Memory on July 4, 1959, in a historic and unprecedented event of three men being elevated at the same time. Later that month, he celebrated his first Divine Liturgy at Saint George.
Father Robert served our diocesan parishes of Saint Mary Church in Morgantown, WV, Saint Michael Church in McKeesport, PA, Saints Peter & Paul in Levittown, PA, where he designed and oversaw the building of both a rectory and church and for the past 23 years as pastor of Saint Paul the Apostle in Freehold, NJ, where he once again oversaw a building improvement project, renovating the church's interior, kitchen and fellowship hall. Father Robert expanded his service to others as a social worker at the Essex County (NJ) Welfare Department for over 30 years.
At the time of his death, Father Robert was the longest-serving active priest in the history of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of North America.
A man of myriad interests, his collection of fine art, Rusyn artifacts, rare liturgical items, holy icons, chalices, crosses, and a vast personal library of Slavic history books brought him great delight and he enjoyed sharing his curator's enthusiasm and appreciation of earthly beauty with all. He also cultivated an entrepreneurial spirit as a real estate investor in his much-loved hometown of over 45 years, New Hope, PA.
Father Robert will be dearly remembered by all as a scholar, mentor, nurturer of vocations, theologian, role model, church builder, diocesan historian, family patriarch, and unwavering believer. "Well done, you good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23).
Father Robert's passing was blessed and peaceful. His last thoughts were of his Saviour, and he had been speaking of heavenly things even while he slept.
He is survived by his beloved wife of over 64 years, Pani Marlene (Zuder) Lucas; three devoted daughters, Nina M. Lucas, Elizabeth Lucas Simon, Kyra Lucas Choti and her husband Joseph; Very Reverend Protopresbyter Myron Zuder, beloved Brother-In-Law and wife Pani Dolores Zuder; dear friends and trusted companions Subdeacon Daniel J. Korba and his wife Marilyn and the Very Reverend Gregory J. Noga; grandson Christopher M. Simon and his wife Abigail, great-grandchildren Lewis, Hannah and Henry Simon; grandchildren Katherine G. Simon, Nadya Choti Breno and her husband Subdeacon Alex, Alexander Lucas Choti, Sophia R. Choti, Sarah A. Harrison and Tatyana Lucas Harrison; cherished cousin Dianne DeAngelis; his brother Michael Lucas; and several nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his parents, John and Anna Lucas, his brother John Lucas, and his sisters Marion (Lucas) Younce and Anna Lucas.
Calling Hours will be held on Saturday, December 16th from 8:30 - 10:30 am, followed by Divine Liturgy at 10:30 am at Saint George Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church 743 South Keyser Avenue Taylor, PA 18517. Interment St. Nicholas Orthodox Cemetery.
It was Father Lucas's request that no flowers be sent. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Fr. Robert to: Saint Paul the Apostle Orthodox Church 24 Burke Road Freehold, NJ 07728
"In Blessed Repose, grant eternal rest, O Lord, to your newly-departed Priest + Father Robert and render eternal his memory, vicnaja jemu pamjat!"