Obituary of Pat Luci

Mr. Pat Luci, 96, former resident of Fairmont Avenue, Amsterdam, departed to be with the Lord on Sunday morning, February 27, 2005, at the L.W. Blake Hospital in Bradenton, Florida. During the winter he resided at the Golf Lakes Estates in Bradenton. Born February 15, 1909, in Molochio, in the Reggio Calabria region of Italy, he was the son of the late Angelo and Josephine Protetti Luci. Pat and his mother came to America arriving at Boston Harbor on Christmas Eve, 1919 and arriving in Amsterdam on Christmas Day. On April 12, 1934, Pat was joined in marriage to the former Mildred Martuscello. Pat and Mildred deeply adored one another and steadfastly maintained a devoted and fulfilling union throughout the 67 years of their marriage. After the death of his wife in 2002, he went on to live with his son, Richard, in Voorheesville, New York and continued to spend his winters in Florida. After the October, 1929 stock market crash, Pat was laid off from the rug mill, so he began work as a shoe salesman in several local shoe stores. In 1952, in partnership with his brother-in-law, Leo Martuscello, he opened his own family shoe store. Lumart Shoe Store opened at 16 East Main Street in Amsterdam. Ironically, several decades before, Pat had sold shoes at the same address for Goetz Shoe Store. Pat took up golf after he retired at the age of 67 and continued to play into his nineties. Throughout his working years, whether it was for others or in his own store, he placed great emphasis on personal customer service. His friendly approach won him many faithful customers. Pat was the foundation and strength of his family. He was a man of great integrity who was guided by a clear set of values and an upright moral background. He loved to tell jokes and show everyone his coin trick. He will be remembered for his joyful and pleasant disposition. Pat was a former member of the; AMICUS; B.P.O.E. of Amsterdam; and Amsterdam Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Amsterdam Council # 209, and was a communicant of St. Michael?s the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Amsterdam. Survivors include his loving family; two sons, Richard A. Luci and his wife Dianne of Voorheesville, N.Y. and Patrick W. Luci and his wife Louise of Amsterdam, N.Y; eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; and a special friend, Toni Weller. He was predeceased by a sister, Lena Peluso. Friends and family are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2005 at St. Michael?s the Archangel Church, Grove Street, Amsterdam with the Father Pascal Iannotti celebrant. Burial will take place in spring at St. Michael?s Cemetery. Calling hours are private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Pat?s memory to; American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Road, Loudonville, NY 12211; Voorheesville First United Methodist Church, Maple Avenue, Voorhesville, NY 12186; or to a charity of one?s choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, N.Y. Please sign our guest book at www.brbsfuneral.com.