WESTFIELD – William “Bill” Edward Lucas Jr., 67, passed away at home on November 14, 2018. Bill was born December 11, 1950 in Westfield to the late William E. Lucas Sr. and Leocadia T. (Janiesiewski) Lucas. Bill was a lifelong resident of Westfield and a graduate from Westfield High School, class of 1968. An accomplished football, baseball, and hockey player, he was selected as the 5th overall draft pick for the Oakland A’s farm teams and played from ’68 -71. Aside from baseball, he attended UCONN and studied commercial art. Bill was a dedicated employee of Kelly-Fradet Lumber for over 42 years. Bill was always a huge sports fan and loved rooting for the Giants, Bruins, Yankees and the Red Sox. He was an automotive enthusiast, especially NHRA and Formula 1. He loved rock music and was an accomplished guitar player. As a military & history buff, he especially enjoyed attending air shows at Barnes ANGB and Westover ARB. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed making the family laugh. Bill is survived by his loving children Bryan Lucas and his wife Dacia of Westfield, Geoffrey Lucas and his girlfriend Caitlyn Powers of Northampton, Julianne Lucas and her boyfriend Michael Strong of Springfield and granddaughter Shelby Provost of Holyoke. He leaves his sister Geraldine A. (Lucas) Correia and her husband Gary of East Taunton, and he will be missed by many.
Calling hours for Bill will be Friday, Nov. 23 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Westfield Funeral Home and Cremation, 4 Princeton Street in Westfield. The funeral service for Bill will be held Saturday November 24, 2018 at 9:00 am, from Westfield Funeral Home and Cremation, 4 Princeton Street in Westfield, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday November 24, 2018 at 10:00 am at Holy Trinity Church, 335 Elm Street in Westfield. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Westfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to Shriner’s Hospital, Springfield, Ma., or a charity of choice. Please visit www.westfieldfuneralhome.com from Bill’s memorial page.
