Aug. 28, 2024

A Mass of Christian Burial for Leward E. Lucia was celebrated Aug. 12 by his son, Bishop Douglas J. Lucia, Bishop of Syracuse. Bishop Terry R. LaValley, Bishop of Ogdensburg, was the homilist.

Burial with full military honors followed in Holy Angels Cemetery.

Mr. Lucia, 96, of Altona, went home to the Lord on Thursday August 8, 2024 at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh surrounded by his family.

He was born in Altona, NY on March 8, 1928, the son of Velia & Eva (Hemingway) Lucia.

He attended Altona Central School and received his GED while serving in the USAF.

He married Betty K. Pepin at St. Patrick’s Church in Rouses Point on October 31, 1959. She predeceased him on March 9, 2021.

He retired in 1990 from the NYSDOCCS after 36 years of service. In addition, he worked for Robert Christiansen Contractors and as a USPS Mail Carrier substitute.

He was a devoted communicant of Holy Angels Church in Altona and worked for many years at parish events. He was also a member of the Altona Fire Dept. for 17 years and VFW Post 1418 in Champlain.

He is survived by his children, David and Laurie Lucia, Bishop Douglas Lucia, Ann and Barry Chauvin, and Paul and Krista Lucia, and his grandchildren, Adam & Kathryn Lucia, Nicholas & Brianna Lucia, Ashley Wahl, and Brittany Lucia; and two great-grandchildren, Kinley Lucia & Anthony Caruthers.

Surviving, as well, are his sisters, Irene Young, Marie LaValley, and Theresa Naro; along with brother-in-law, Howard Pepin; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Vicki Pepin; and sisters-in-law, Ella Lucia, Shirley Hyde, and Joan St. John, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Donald; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Roger and Hildred Lucia, Dolphus and Bessie Lucia; and sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Charles Goodrow; along with brothers-in-laws, Henry Pepin, Charles St. John, Harold Hyde, Herman LaValley, Donald Young, and Richard Naro; and sister-in-law, Patricia Pepin.

Memorial donations may be made to the Altona Fire Dept and Holy Angels Church in Altona.