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Father Lawrence E. Lucas, who served for 26 years at Resurrection parish in Harlem, died April 18. He was 86. Father Lucas was pastor of Resurrection, 1969-1992, and parochial vicar, 1961-1964.
Burial is Monday, April 27 in St. Raymond Cemetery, the Bronx, with Cardinal Dolan presiding.
Msgr. Joseph Reynolds first met Father Lucas in 1947 when they were students at Cathedral Prep Seminary in Brooklyn. The two later were classmates at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, and were ordained by Cardinal Francis Spellman at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 1959. “I mourn his loss,” Msgr. Reynolds said. “He was a good friend.”
Father Lucas served as parochial vicar of St. Joseph’s, Croton Falls, in 1959 and was succeeded by Msgr. Reynolds at the parish. “His summer at Croton Falls, he and Father Joe Murphy did remarkable work visiting families,” Msgr. Reynolds said. “I picked up all of his work after he left, and he did wonderful work there. Years later, he was remembered by families there.” Born in New York City, he studied for the priesthood at St. Joseph’s Seminary. He also did postgraduate studies at the University of Indianapolis for two years.
In 2014, Father Lucas was appointed temporary
administrator of Our Lady of Lourdes, Manhattan, where he previously served as a senior priest, 2009-2014.
He was chaplain of North General Hospital, Manhattan, and New York City Department of Corrections, 2008-2009; Rikers Island, 1994-2008; and North General Hospital, 1992-1994. He worked as communications consultant for education television and the archdiocese, 1968-1969. He served as parochial vicar in Manhattan at St. Joseph’s, 1968-1969; St. Charles Borromeo, 1964-1966; and St. Peter’s, 1959-1961. A M
