1st Generation

Caspar Lucke & Mary Elizabeth Scheckel

2nd Generation (The 13)

#1 Mary

#2 Frank

#3 Leo

#4 Beatrice

#5 Elsie

#6 Lucy

#7 Carlie

#8 Bill

#9 Joe

#10 Margie

#11 Anna

#12 Caspar

#13 Jack

Here are the 13 children (chronological order) of Caspar and Mary Lucke.

Child #1: Mary Catherine Lucke (born 29-Mar-1880, died 27-Dec-1961) married John Jacob Muller

Mary was born on March 29, 1880. As the eldest, and with a new baby coming just about every two years, Mary became “Big Sister” and “Mother’s helper” to her Brothers and Sisters – a tremendous learning experience for becoming a housewife and Mother later on!

Mary was sent to a private Catholic Boarding School in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, where she met her lifelong friend, Mathilda Moller. Although Mary loved the school, she had to return home after her first year to take care of the brood. Her Sisters later followed her there, while the boys went to a private school for young men.

Mary met John Jacob Muller at Vespers in St. Benedict’s. John did clerical work for a wholesale dry goods firm but at home he was very creative. His avocations included gardening, carpentry and tinkering with electronic items like radios; he won a prize for inventing a push-button radio. Mary and John were married on July 14, 1909. Their first three homes were on Park Place, Brooklyn, each time one of Grandpa’s houses. This is where their children (Mary Dorothy and Rita) were born and raised, going to St. Matthew’s Parochial School. Some time later, they moved to Flatbush, first to 594 East 43rd Street. Mary Dot was married to Dan Crossan from that house, in Little Flower Church. The Mullers also lived on East 31st Street and at 3508 Farragut Road. In 1954 they bought a house on Holly Avenue in Mineola, NY. John died in that house on May 2nd 1958. Mary died peacefully in her sleep on December 27th, 1961. Rita sold the Mineola house in 1963 and moved to the Lynbrook/East Rockaway area where she has lived ever since. Mary Dot died January 22nd, 1965.

Legends:

• Mary, having “grown up” early, was on the serious side, but she did have her share of the Lucke Humor – although she was usually unaware of just how funny she could be. For instance, one time when Mary and Rita were watching the Kate Smith Show on TV, Rita remarked: “Kate has lost some weight; she used to be as big as a horse.” Mary immediately quipped “Well she’s still no pony!”
• Mary had great devotion to the saints, St. Anthony in particular. She claimed that St. Anthony helped you find lost items by “telling you where to look.” But she insisted that you had to give him a reward. Once, when the power failed and there were no lights, Mary wanted Rita to stay home from work. Rita prayed to St. Anthony to put the lights back on, and promised $1 if he would…or $2 if he did before she left for work. As her hand was on the doorknob to leave, on came the lights, so she had to fork out the $2.
• After John’s death, Mary and Rita decided to get a pet and wound up with parakeets. The first was Tony (guess whom he was named after?) followed by Jackie, who actually did talk! Rita couldn’t ever deny her Brooklyn roots, because Jackie used to look at birds in the backyard and say “Look at the boidies choip, choip, choip!”

#2 FRANCIS PETER LUCKE (born 18-Oct-1881, died 24-Mar-1968)   m. Mary Margaret Cramer

(No photos at the moment)

Child #2: Francis Peter

 

Frank was born in New York City on October 18, 1881. He graduated from St John’s College in Brooklyn and St Jerome’s College in Canada.  He was a very good baseball player and also managed St. Benedict’s baseball team.  Frank met Mary (Mamie) Cramer at St Benedict’s; they were neighbors at 21 and 30 Suydam Place.  Frank had a good job in a woolen company but left it when Grandpa died so he could help Grandma and take over their real estate business.  Frank postponed his wedding for a year because of this.  Frank and Mamie were married on June 23, 1909.  They lived upstairs at 1353 Park Place, in a two-family house built by Grandpa, next-door to Leo and the Mullers.  This is where Clement, Agnes, Cecilia and Gertrude were born.  They were all baptized at St. Benedict’s.  Frank and Mamie later moved to East 48th Street in Flatbush, and eventually to Woodhaven, Queens.  After Frank retired, they moved to Shohola, Pa. which is along the Delaware River in Pike County.  Agnes and Gertrude lived nearby.

Gertrude’s reminiscences:  Pop and I often took walks to the movies, holding hands and taking turns “squeezing.” (I’ve played the same “game” with each of my Grandchildren.)  Pop often took Mother and me to lunch after a movie in downtown Brooklyn.  We always went to Joe’s Restaurant where gentlemen were required to wear jackets.  On a hot summer day (no air-conditioning in those days!) Pop removed his jacket and a waiter brought him another to put on.  Pop was very upset and never returned to Joe’s!  Pop loved and trained homing pigeons.  I remember him waiting for them to come home after being released quite a distance.  Pop won many silver cups for their racing times.  When we lived in Flatbush, I remember taking piano lessons on East 34th Street, across from Grandma’s house.  I always went in to see Grandma and Auntie after my lesson.  I remember a beautiful silver maple tree in their backyard.  Auntie took Dotty and me to Steeplechase every summer; we always looked forward to these outings and had a great time.  I remember taking the bus to the IRT subway at Newkirk Avenue, across from St. Jerome’s Church, to go to Bishop McDonnell’s HS and later, to work.  Mother and I often went to visit Aunt Anne (Bob and Lloyd’s Mother and my Godmother) and I remember vividly the day we heard that Aunt Anne’s Husband (Lloyd) passed away.  Pop loved the Brooklyn Dodgers and dreamed of seeing them win the pennant some day.  When they finally did win it, Agnes and I were so excited that we called Pop from upstate.  But, he showed no enthusiasm…I guess the wait had been too long!  Pop had a great belief in St. Anthony’s finding “anything.” [ED: Like so many of us!!]

 

“Lucke Humor:”

While engaged to Mamie, Frank took her to a winter carnival.  He hit her on the face with a snowball which caused a big bump on her nose.  When he took her home he announced to her Father “Don’t worry, Mr. Cramer.  I’m going to marry her anyhow!”

Frank loved food, announcing “it tastes like more!”  He always led soup chorus at Thanksgiving dinners (slurping from a spoon). Frank added “God bless the cook” to the blessing before meals.

Frank always emphasized correct grammar. When Agnes stated she had to clean a mess “up”, he told her not to end a sentence with a preposition. He also helped write Ruth Ann and Mary Agnes’ graduation speeches.

 

Child #3: Leo Caspar

Leo was born on August 19th, 1883 in Brooklyn, at the Suydam Place house. He met and married Mary Anna Karl and they lived at 1355 Park Place, one of Grossvater’s houses, below #1 Mary and John Muller and their Family. Mae, Edward and young Leo were all Baptized at St. Benedict’s.  Later on they moved to the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn.  Big Leo was the best bowler in the clan which is saying something, since all the Lucke boys were very good bowlers.  Rita remembers Mae as a bright, pleasant, always cheerful young lady.  Unfortunately, Mae contracted tuberculosis and although she made several trips to Saranac Lake for treatment, she died at age 29.  Edward was a good athlete like his Father; he played professional baseball with the Newark team.  He was recruited by the New York Sanitation Department, who were trying to form a team to beat the Police and Fire Departments.  Edward became a well-respected Supervisor at the Sanitation Department; both Pete Lucke and Patricia Galligan told us that Edward was still well known there long after his retirement.  Young Leo gave us much of this information but he didn’t tell us about himself; however, Rita remembers that Leo, Clement (nicknamed Zeke) and her sister Mary Muller had a “shanty shack” in the backyard, where they roasted mickeys.  They often caused the neighbors to complain about the racket!

“Lucke Humor:”

When Mary Karl went to school, they only spoke German in class.  Mary felt that this gave her an “inside track” with Grossvater!

Mary Karl had a uniqueness in that her senses were very sharp.  In the days when there was tub butter, young Leo was sent to Ginsburg’s Delicatessen with instructions from his Mother to tell the man to cut the butter from the middle of the tub.  When Leo came home, Mary sniffed it and said: “Take it back; he didn’t cut it from the middle of the tub!”  This happened three times!

Mary Karl once discovered that gas was leaking from the refrigerator.  She went to the nearby Fire Department and asked them to send a couple of men to take the refrigerator out without making a big fuss.  When she got home, a mob had gathered because they had sent a hook-and-ladder about a block long!

Mary Karl always scared Rita by telling her that the Easter Bunny was actually “The Biz”, hiding in a dark corner.

Rita remembers Mary Karl saying “Always have herring and wine at New Year’s Eve, and you’ll have money all year!”

Child #4: Beatrice

We know that Beatrice married Fred Lang and they had a Daughter, Margaret Mary. Beatrice, as well as the Twins she carried, died during childbirth in 1914.  When Fred re-married, Margaret Mary went to live with her Grandmother and Aunt Mary (Lang) at 57 Clinton Avenue in Rockville Centre, NY.  Rita remembers going there for Margaret Mary’s birthday parties.  Later, Margaret Mary moved to Florida with her Aunt Mary; apparently she died there.

We continue the saga of the 13 children of Caspar and Mary Elizabeth Lucke.  On the following  pages, you will find stories about #5 Elsie and #7 Carlie.  #6 Lucy was a two-year-old when she died so nothing is known of her besides her dates of birth and death.  Thanks to Ginnie Ferguson and Dottie Gucker for telling us about Elsie and Carlie respectively, and to Ken Bond and Theresa Hanson for obtaining the biographical data for their “branches”.

Child #5: Elsie

Elsie was born at the Lucke home at 21 Suydam Place, Brooklyn.  (Children weren’t delivered in hospitals in those days!)  The Baptismal record shows it was July 24th, 1887 but Elsie always claimed it was 1888.  She was baptized Anna Elizabeth, at St Benedict’s, on August 7th.  Like her Sisters, Elsie attended St Anne’s Academy in Wilkes Barre, Pa.  They were referred to as “Those snooty Lucke girls!”

Elsie worked at Irving Trust Company in NYC where she met Joseph Vincent Bond.  They were married in 1920 at St Vincent Ferrer’s church in Flatbush after Joe was discharged from the US Army.  They had a catered reception at the Family’s house on East 32nd Street.  They lived at 731 Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn, where Virginia and Joe Jr were born.  The children were baptized at Holy Innocents.  Rita remembers Ginnie and Joe as tots; they used to come to visit and Rita would dress them up in “Sister & Brother” outfits.  Rita recalls that Ginnie was extremely fascinated by the life-sized dolls that Uncle John made.

The Family moved to Pelham, NY (Westchester County) in 1925.  Their third child, Francis Kenneth (Kenny), was born there and baptized at St Catherine’s Church. Rita says that Aunt Mary visited them but was uncomfortable because they had a maid.  (So Mary wasn’t one of the “snooty” Lucke girls after all!). Auntie took Rita and Dottie to visit, and Rita ran into a clothesline and injured her eye.  She got no sympathy – except from Auntie of course!

Some summers while the children were young, the Bonds vacationed in Sound Beach on Long Island.  One summer Virginia and Joe went into a neighbor’s garage and decided to paint a cat (or maybe it was a car!).  Fortunately they ran out of paint before too much damage was done.

Ken, Dolores (Doe), Susan, Peggy, Ginnie, Joe Sr, Elsie

Patty, Bob Hoerning, Bruce, Bobby, Kevin, Richie, Nora, Barbara, Joe Jr

Virginia married Robert Hoerning and lived in Virginia Beach, VA, where Bob was stationed during WWII.  Later they moved to Levittown, on Long Island.  After Joe Jr’s discharge from the Army, he married Peggy Gaiser and they also moved to Levittown.  Ken joined the Navy and met Dolores Burgan while stationed in California.  After his discharge they were married in California and have lived there since.

Joe Sr died in 1961.  Elsie moved from Pelham to Islip, Long Island in 1964.  She died there in 1970.

Child #6: Lucy

Lucy Mary was born in Brooklyn on August 7th, 1889.  She died in May 1892 and is buried in Most Holy Trinity Cemetery, Brooklyn.

Child #7: Charles Bernard

Charles was born on June 27th, 1891, and was baptized at St Benedict’s on July 5th.  In the Family he was always called Carlie but to his Friends he was Charlie.  Instead of pursuing “business” like his brothers, Carlie took up a trade and became a plumber. He was known as the best plumber in Brooklyn and was a genius at fixing things.  It was said that he made the best “egg” (plumbers’ term) in town.  He liked to play baseball; Dottie has a team picture showing the Lucke Brothers along with some of the Cramer boys.  He also liked boating, fishing and hunting.

Carlie married Mary Dorothy (Mae) Bronjesk in 1915.  Mae had arrived in the US from Poland in 1894, being born at sea.  They lived at 131 Hemlock Street where their only child, Dorothy (Dottie), was born on March 11, 1917.  When Mae died in 1918, Carlie and Dottie moved in with Grandma at Suydam Place.  They lived with Grandma and Auntie through the next two moves to 797 East 32nd Street and 553 East 34th Street. Dottie remembers the day they moved from East 32nd Street.  Carlie sat at the dining room table and refused to move.  The moving men had taken everything out of the house before he would give in and let them take the table and chair he was sitting on. When Carlie married Helen Gorman Kiernan they moved to Ave K, then to Ave S, then to Beverly Road in Flatbush, where Carlie was the Superintendent of an apartment house.  He took great pride in teaching his Grandson Steve Gucker (Dottie’s first Son) the skills of plumbing.  Carlie died on December 10, 1966 following a long illness.  Helen died in 1979.

Carlie had a “gruff” exterior which masked a generous heart.  Bob and Lloyd remember that, when they were kids, they had to move from an apartment and had nowhere to go; Carlie (who was Lloyd’s Godfather) made room in his own apartment for Anne, Bob, Lloyd and their Bulldog, Mickey.  They lived there for several months.

Dottie was raised by Grandma and Auntie.  Since so many of the Aunts and Uncles lived at home until they got married, she has great stories about them. Dottie remembers when Uncle Joe was courting Beebee, he would get all dressed up and she would ask him where he was going and he would always answer “to Canarsie.”  She remembers going to Steeplechase (the amusement park in Brooklyn) with Grandma, Auntie, Aunt Mary and Rita and she has pictures of Carlie and herself on the beach at Rockaway Point, where Grandma had a cottage.

Dottie recalls the Sunday visits to Grandma’s by Aunt Margie and Uncle Ed and the Magee Kids.  They would come loaded with goodies from the deli and they would have a feast!  After the meal, Uncle Ed would play the piano and they all would sing the “old songs.”  Dottie used to visit the Magees at their summer cottage at Fairfield Beach.  Uncle Ed would come up from Mount Vernon on weekends and bring hamburgers and hot dogs which they cooked at a campfire at night.  Uncle Ed played the harmonica and they all sang along.

Child #8: William Joseph

Bill was born Oct 25, 1893, and was baptized at St Benedict’s on Nov 5, 1893.  His Godparents were William and Anna Scheckel.  Like his Brothers, he was active in sports, playing baseball and bowling.

During World War I, Bill joined the US Army and fought at Belleau Wood, the Argonne Forest and the Battle of the Marne.  After returning from the War, Bill married Loretta Dougherty and they lived on Herkimer Street in Brooklyn.  Bill was employed at the US Post Office in the Main Post Office at Borough Hall, Brooklyn, for his entire working career.

It’s claimed that Loretta “Irish-ized” Bill – that is, they spent much time with her family, not much with the Luckes.  When Loretta was around, Bill never took a drink.  However, once he visited the Mullers alone and sampled Uncle John’s homemade wine.  Rita recalls that Bill told her about a movie he had seen – and told it in great detail with help from the wine, no doubt!

Bill and Loretta had two Sons, Billy and Harry and then a Daughter, Patricia, who died shortly after birth.  Loretta really wanted another Daughter, so, when Bobby arrived, she dressed him as a girl and curled his hair in long blonde curls for his first two years.  He was the only boy on the block with a key to the girls’ room!

Bill was always very interested in sports.  In addition to rolling a “perfect” 300 game, he was NY State Bowling Champion in 1933-34-35.  His Son Bobby remembers many Sunday double-headers at Ebbets Field.  At parties, Bill liked to entertain the children.

You may notice on the following pages that Loretta’s year of birth is missing.  According to their Granddaughter, Karen Lucke LaPenna, Loretta said: “I’ve lied about my age so often that I really don’t know how old I am!”

Loretta’s Cousin, June Donohue Travers (Junie Tick) cared for Bob and Lloyd Campbell while Anna went to work.  This arrangement ended when Junie sprained her ankle.  Lloyd recalled going to Bill & Loretta’s afterwards, and then Uncle Joe [see Child #9] took her home in his taxi and gave her a strawberry pop from the Good Humor Man.  Later, when Junie married, she lived on a farm in upstate New York.  Before he went off to join the Franciscans as a Brother, Bobby Lucke visited the farm, but Loretta went running up there “to save him from worldly allures!”

Bill died on March 31, 1969; his Son Harry died a few days later.  Loretta died on September 4, 1978; their Son Billy died on May 12, 1993.

Child #9: Joseph Anthony

Joe was born Oct 8, 1895, and was baptized at St Benedict’s on Oct 20, 1895.  Like Bill and all the Lucke Brothers, he was active in baseball and bowling.  Joe also joined the US Army and served in Europe during WWI.  Rita recalls the day Bill and Joe came home after the War.  Although they had both been notorious for “Lucke humor” (jokes and puns), Bill had become more serious while Joe remained “a big tease.”

Joe married Beatrice (Beebee) Bier around 1923.  Their wedding reception was held at the Restaurant at Trommers’ Brewery in Brooklyn.  Everyone had an uplifting time!   Joe worked for a firm on Wall Street before the “crash” in 1929.  Later, he was a Taxi Driver.  Bob and Lloyd Campbell remember many times that Uncle Joe came to the rescue in his taxicab.  (None of the Family owned a car in those days!)  In his later years, Joe was the Manager of Bowling Alleys at Farragut Road and on Nostrand Avenue in Flatbush (but Bob and Lloyd never got free games!)

For many years, Joe and Beebee lived at 3613 Avenue D, not far from Grandma Lucke’s house on East 34th Street.  Anna, Bob and Lloyd lived in the same apartment house for awhile.  One of Bob’s memories as a 3-year-old is getting his foot stuck in a tin can, and Uncle Joe coming upstairs to the rescue.

For a few years, Joe and Beebee moved back to Grandma’s.  They had a huge dog named Buddy, who scared not only potential robbers but also Family visitors.  One time, Aunt Mary had to hide with Lloyd behind Grandma’s big piano until Joe restrained Buddy!

Joe was a diehard Brooklyn Dodgers fan.  In the 50’s, one of the Dodgers’ radio sponsors (there was no TV!) was Lucky Strike cigarettes and they had a cartoon character.  Joe said that they named the character after him:  it was “Happy Joe Lucky!”

Although they were never blessed with offspring of their own, Joe and Beebee loved children.  They invariably took 2 or 3 nieces and nephews along on their trips.  And they always remembered birthdays.  [Joe was Bob Campbell’s Godfather and seems to have passed along that trait!]  They included a few dollar bills along with the card – until you got to be age 18; then you were “on your own.”

Joe took “The Pledge” when he was a young man (no drinking before age 21.)  In later years, though, he always enjoyed a social drink – or three.  When he visited and you would come to open the door and say “Hi!”  he’d say “Never mind the formalities, when are you going to offer me a drink?”  Beebee would be horrified!

After Joe died in 1967, Beebee moved into an apartment in her sister’s house in Queens (Mae and Joe Cramer’s).  Around this time she decided to turn in her Driver’s License; she proudly stated that she had never had an accident in all the years that she had her license.  Of course, with Joe being such a good driver, she had never taken over the wheel!

Beebee was a great cook.  In the early 70’s, when Mary Agnes Wilson Dorney lived in Bayside, Queens, she would often go to visit her sister Ruth Ann in Borough Park, Brooklyn.  Oftentimes, they would have lunch and spend the afternoon with Aunt Beebee.  She was always delighted to have visitors and provided a delicious lunch and a delightful afternoon.  Beebee seemed to know all the news about the Family.  Denise (Mary Agnes’ Daughter) and Theresa (Ruth Ann’s Daughter), were toddlers then. Aunt Beebee enjoyed the girls so much!  When they were impish and their Mothers would say they were being “bad”, Beebee would say “There’s no such thing as a bad child.  They’re just being naughty.”

Beebee wrote up some of her recipes, which Mary Agnes and Ruth Ann have saved and would be happy to share.

Child # 10: Margaret Mary

Margie was born on October 31, 1897 and was baptized Margaret Mary on November 7, 1987 at St Benedict’s Church in Brooklyn.  After attending St Anne’s Academy in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, she continued her education at Adelphi College and upon receiving her degree, she went to work for Cunard Lines in New York City.

In 1924 Margie met Edwin Magee on a blind date at a dance in Westchester County.  While she was known to be somewhat reserved, Aunt Beebe once commented that Margie was considered to be quite a “coquette”.  Ed, having completed his service in World War I, had returned to his position at the Westchester Lighting Company in Mt Vernon, New York.  After a courtship between Brooklyn and Mount Vernon (often by subway) Margie and Ed were married at St Jerome’s Church in Brooklyn on February 12, 1925.

Margie and Ed began their married life together in an apartment in Mt Vernon and Ed Jr arrived the following February.  Bob arrived two years later followed by Betty and Jim.  Ed had advanced to General Commercial Manager at the Westchester Lighting Company and he and Margie bought a house in Mt Vernon, not very far from Elsie and Joe Bond in Pelham.  Elsie Imgram, who was Betty’s Godmother, visited often as did Rita and the Campbells.  Ed Jr recalled a Christmas when young Bob Campbell was visiting and somehow managed to pull down the Christmas tree.

Margie and Ed were both active bowlers.  Margie loved to walk and said she acquired her brisk step from walking to church with Auntie.  An interest in sports became a part of family life.  Ed and Ed Jr enjoyed many a Sunday afternoon in the late ‘30s watching Uncle Leo’s son, Eddie, play baseball with the Mt Vernon Scarlets, a semi-pro team.  Bob and Ed Jr remembered Margie taking long walks with Jim in his stroller so she could see them play baseball and basketball.

Trips back to Brooklyn were a routine Sunday afternoon event.  When not at Grandma’s house, the Magees very often visited the Mullers.  Summers were spent at Fairfield Beach in Connecticut.  Many Lucke relatives visited over the years.  On weekends Ed kept things lively with his harmonica and piano playing.  Margie tried to keep the singing at a decent level so as not to disturb the neighbors but she wasn’t always successful.  Everyone enjoyed the beach and on one visit Uncle Joe Bond left his wooden leg on the porch and joined the swimmers.

By 1954, Margie was not feeling well.  The house in Mt Vernon was sold and Margie and Ed moved to Connecticut where they bought a house next to Betty who was married to John Connelly.  Ed had retired from the Westchester Lighting Company after 45 years of loyal service.  Bob married Anne O’Brien in 1953 and Ed Jr married Nancy Dillon in 1958 (both Mt Vernon girls).  Jim married Pat Medley (a Connecticut girl) in 1959.  All lived in Connecticut except Jim and Pat who reside in Florida.

After a very long illness, Margie died on May 3, 1959.  After a brief illness, Ed died on August 3, 1967.

Child #11: Anna Gertrude

 

Anna Gertrude Lucke was born on December 12, 1900 and was baptized on December 16 (they didn’t waste time in those days!) at St Benedict’s Church in Brooklyn. Like her older Sisters, she attended St Anne’s Academy in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. We have some artistic “treasures” that bear her name, dated 1916, although she always told us “The Nuns did most of the work”. Anna began her business career at Irving Trust, where her elder Sister Elsie was Secretary to a “bigwig”. During this period, Margie and Anna often double-dated. However, Anna met her future Husband, Lloyd Howell Campbell, on a blind date; Lloyd took her to a tennis match between Bill Johnston and Bill Tilden. Anna spent most of the match chatting to the man next to her because he was also rooting for Johnston, while Lloyd was rooting for Tilden.

 

Anna and Lloyd were married at St Jerome’s Church on Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1929. The only “guests” present were Joe and Beebee Lucke; Lloyd had converted to the Catholic faith but his Family didn’t know – and wouldn’t have approved! They lived in various houses in Flatbush, in Little Flower Parish.

Anna always was so proud that she was 12 on 12/12/12!  (She was born December 12, 1900.)  

And the event was published n the Brooklyn  Daily Eagle.

The_Brooklyn_Daily_Eagle_Sun__Dec_15__1912_

Bob was born in 1933 and, according to Anna, was a good baby until Lloyd came home from work, whereupon he began to fuss and cry. It wasn’t until a Summer vacation in 1935 that Lloyd had any fun with his child. However, shortly after returning from vacation, Lloyd (who was an excellent chess player, and a good golfer and tennis player) died of a heart attack playing tennis. At the time, Anna was pregnant with their second child, Terese Lloyd (born in March 1936). [The new baby was always called Lloyd within the Family, but Terry “outside”] Anna returned to work, and held various secretarial jobs, at one time working for Curtis Dall (FDR’s ex-Son-in-Law). She also obtained her Real Estate license along the way. In 1947, Anna was diagnosed with a thyroid condition that hospitalized her and kept her out of work for 6 months. She later got a job as Secretary to Anthony Scuderi, a lawyer. When his practice moved to Lynbrook, we also relocated, to East Rockaway in 1960.

Terese Lloyd’s Son, Joseph Porter, was born in 1963 and Anna was in her glory with a Grandchild. Joe remembers that he and his Mom picked up Grandma every day from work. Anna finally retired from work at age 69 – but some of her “best days” were still ahead of her. She had a ball! She volunteered at the local schools, helping the children with their reading; organized the CYO Cake Sales, and founded The Friendship Club (the Senior Citizens’ group at our church). We really didn’t hear too much about what she did at the Club until her Wake, when some of the members “told the tales”. Anna had cautioned them “Don’t tell Lloyd and Bob! They wouldn’t approve!” [Apparently there were some “naughty” stories involved.]

After Lloyd and Joe moved to Sag Harbor in the early 70’s, Anna got a new “pet”, a Dalmatian named Pepper. Boy, did she ever dote on Pepper! At her 75th Birthday celebration at Buckley’s Restaurant, Anna went to the piano and led the “entertainment”. However, it was downhill, healthwise, from there. Anna slowed down considerably and we had a Vietnamese Family (Hai and her children) come in every day as companions; she had new folks to “dote on”. Anna suffered a stroke in July 1981, was in a coma for 3 days and died on July 26th. A blessed death indeed, culminating a life well-lived!

Child #12: Caspar Ambrose

Caspar Ambrose Lucke was born October 20, 1902, baptized a few days later, on October 26 at St Benedict’s Church and died on November 9, 1904.  He was buried in Most Holy Trinity Cemetery, Brooklyn.

Child #13: Jack

Caspar John (Jack) Lucke was also born at the Suydam Place home, and baptized at St Benedict’s. He married Anne Veronica Reilly and they lived in Flatbush for many years on Flatbush Avenue near Farragut Road with their five children. In 1976, Jack and Anne moved in with his Daughter Jackie in Farmingdale.

All his grandchildren and great-children called him “Papa.” Their warm and wonderful memories (as written by his granddaughter Anne Marie) are of a “gentle giant.” Truly Jack was a big man, but you could never be scared of this man who only wanted to make people happy. He was kind and patient and always had time to talk to you.

Jack was meticulous in even the smallest of details. He loved to putter around Jackie’s house in Farmingdale fixing this or that. He used to say it made him feel good to accomplish at least one project a day.

Jack adored his grandkids and great-grandkids and told them endless hours of jokes. [Like all the 13, but especially the Boys, jokes and puns were a normal part of “Lucke Humor!”] The one the youngest loved was: There were two men on a boat – Pete and Repeat. Pete fell out. Who was left? The kids would then shout “Repeat” and this would go on and on till they wore Jack down.

Jack had a nickname for everyone; it was sort of a hobby of his. Anne Marie’s was “Daisy” because she loved daisies. [What was yours?] Anne Marie remembers that the kids would be buzzing around doing this or that and Papa would watch in amazement. He’d say, many times over, with a great smile on his face “Daisy, man works from sun to sun but woman’s work is never done.”

Jack was very devoted to his beloved Anne (“Nanny”) and he missed her terribly after she died in 1979. His later years were bittersweet yet he managed to stay productive and enjoyed the simplest pleasures of each and every day,

Bob Campbell remembers Uncle Jack with great fondness: Although we didn’t see much of each other after we moved from Flatbush to East Rockaway, it was always a special treat when we got together. He invariably made us smile! He loved being with the Family. We’ll never forget his “appearance” at the Lucke Family Picnic in 1982! And it was a great privilege for me to lead the prayers at his Wake Service, which was shortly after my ordination as a Deacon in 1985.

Jack died on October 25, 1985 – the last of the Lucke Thirteen generation!

We conclude the series concerning Caspar and Mary Lucke’s children.  As you read these recollections, we trust that the picture has emerged of a loving Family, characterized by humor, upbeat attitudes, deep religious faith and the ability to ride the “roller-coaster” of life.  Now it is our turn to follow their example and keep their values alive.