Stanley M. Lucas

Stanley M. Lucas, 98, died Sunday, April 8, 2018. First it must be said; he was a good man.  Having qualities of a gentleman of fine character, Stanley felt duty-bound to help all those in his sphere of influence.  I write this because I knew him.Being born at home, Christmas Day 1919, in Thomas, West Virginia, his Baptism, 10 weeks later, March 3, 1920, documented that arrival and became his designated legal birthday.  His parents, William and Enella were Lithuanian immigrants, a heritage he respected and lived.  The family soon moved to their farm at Redhouse, US Rt. 50 & 219, Oakland, Maryland.  The second oldest of five children, Stanley farmed and enjoyed the scenic mountain fields along with a horse named King.  Stories of flying through the woods by springing from limb to limb and swimming in the creek with brother, Adam were among his best memories.After graduating from Oakland High in 1938, he traveled to Akron hearing of opportunities and single Lithuanian ladies.  He graduated from (Hammel) Actual Business College and attended evening classes at Akron Law School.  A month after the attack on Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the Navy.  Through testing at US Naval Center, N.Y. he advanced to Chief Yeoman.  Serving onboard the USS Thomas Stone he and not the ship survived 184 air attacks, one bomb, and one unexploded torpedo.  He said there were “close calls”.  Two and half years of active duty left him losing teeth by being too close to the 8 inch guns upon unexpected discharge and then stranded on the beach of Algiers.  He told stories of magnificent purple heather on the Scottish mountainside, the long black hair of the women in their canoes on the Amazon, and the magical architecture in Casablanca.After his wartime tour around the Atlantic, Stanley’s home was both Oakland and Akron.  He left the old farm though, to marry his love from the time before the war, Helen Janickas of Akron in 1946.  He bought his home and a jukebox business from Helen’s brother, Jerry.  Looking to beautify the grounds he immediately took to planting shrubbery and flowers, not only around his home but in the adjacent fields.  He didn’t want to escape the nature of farming deep in his being.  Lucas Nursery then began.  He worked the fields again, by day, and at night fixed broken coin machines.  He worked a lot.Work.  He loved it.  That was his code of life.  “To work or to not be” is him.  In all his pursuits he excelled.  Not only for his endurance, but generosity and sane reason, people chose him to be president of the American-Lithuanian Society, president of the Summit County Music Operators, and president of the Ohio Landscaper’s Association.  As I write this I think I boast too much, so I’ll add at times he was grouchy.He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Helen and son, Thomas.  Also, preceded by his brother, Adam (Genevieve) Lucas; sisters, Gen (Arnold) Evans, Stella (Taft) Oursler and Vickie (George) Kley.  He is survived by sons, Michael (Rebecca) and Patrick (fiancée, Rebecca); daughters, Janet Schellhase and Marcia (David) Mushalek.  Also seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; numerous nieces and nephews and many friends throughout the years.Stanley’s family will receive friends on Sunday, April 15th from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Campfield-Hickman-Collier Funeral Home, 566 W. Park Ave., Barberton 44203.  Mass of Christian burial will be Monday, April 16th at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, 4022 Johnson Road, Norton 44203 with Fr. James Maloney, celebrant.  Followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery with military honors conducted by Firestone VFW 3383.

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