Anthony "Tony" Lucera

The family of Anthony "Tony" Lucera commemorates his life following his passing at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, 2008, at Hallmark House Nursing Center in Pekin. He was born Dec. 16, 1923, to Marion and Bessie Lucera, who had resettled to Pekin from their home in Sicily, Italy. Tony was joined in matrimony to Roberta Lindstrom from their wedding day, Feb. 26, 1960, until her passing in 1978. He married Hazel Phillips on Nov. 6, 1982. Tony was the youngest of seven siblings, Theresa Sciortino, Mary Sciortino, Ben Lucera, Joe Lucera, Virginia Shipman, and Tom Lucera, all of whom preceded him in death. He was a beloved uncle to his brothers and sisters many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. His large extended family includes nephews and nieces Barbara OBrien of Tremont, M. Howard (Doreen) Shipman of Washington, Daniel (Christine) Shipman of Pekin, Joella Lucera of Pekin, and James Lucera of Bartonville. As a young man, Tony worked in construction in the Pekin area before traveling to Oregon, where he worked on the construction of oil tankers in the shipyards of Portland. Tony served his nation during World War II in the United States Army Air Force, as an aerial gunner with the 20th Bomber Command. He flew several missions from stations in India and Tinian Island before the wars end. Upon returning to Pekin after the war, he worked with his brother-in-law, Howard Shipman, at Shipman Marine and Gun on Derby Street. Tony was then employed in the testing department of Keystone Steel and Wire Company, where he worked for 25 years before retiring in 1984. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Eagles, Elks, and the Itoo Society. An avid outdoorsman, he especially enjoyed duck hunting and ice fishing. He also enjoyed sharing his Italian heritage, especially through cooking and baking. Later in life, Tony had a passion for ballroom dance and the many friendships it provided. His vigor, generosity, and love for life was and will always be cherished by his many nieces and nephews, who have often heard him say, "I've had a good, full life." He valued his loved ones above all else, and of the Lucera family would say, "We were rich, because we had love."