Louis James ‘Lou’ Lucas
Lou Lucas was my art teacher from 1973-1976 at Mountview Junior High. He was a mentor to me and he encouraged me to draw. He had me buy black hard-covered books with blank pages from CC Lowell and with India ink, ball-point pens, colored pencils and magic markers, I filled up two of those books during seventh and eighth grade. I drew, inked and colored all sorts of animals and people. I still have them. When I broke my foot in 8th grade in a tragic let's-stop-the-sled-with-my-foot-on-a-tree accident, I spent all my study periods and gym classes in Room 100, the bottom floor room where Mr. Lucas entertained and taught his students.
He was always telling stories. He liked mythology, especially the art and gods of the Egyptians. Besides talking art he was always providing interesting trivia of places and things I never heard of — like the country of Tanna Tuva or of the Serbo-Croatian people (who wouldn't be in the general mainstream U.S. news until 1991) or that they used to make paint out of mummies. All fascinating information to my 13-year-old brain. I was able bring my art grade from a B in 6th grade to an A+ in eighth grade. After graduating from Mountview, I would visit him frequently while I attended high school and college. I could just visit by walking into the school through the back doors in the days before heightened security and school shootings.
His background and upbringing is from his obituary: "Lou graduated from Millbury Memorial High School in 1955, Massachusetts College of Arts Boston in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Art Education, and Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1962 with a Master of Arts. After graduating from Cranbrook Academy, he began his long and stellar career in the Holden School System, where he retired from teaching. He was a talented artist who had the ability to interpret his readings of mythology and ancient symbols into intricate pen and ink drawings. One such work was purchased by the Worcester Art Museum in Worcester, MA., for their permanent collections, and is displayed on a rotating basis.
One of his proudest accomplishments was becoming a 32nd degree Mason and his 57 years as an active member. Lou was a fascinating man with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He was an avid reader and cherished his expansive library with topics ranging from quantum physics to ancient civilizations. Everyone who knew him loved him; he was one of those people that could get along with anyone and talk about anything. He was a gentle intellectual who could easily clear the Jeopardy board while sketching a cartoon for one of his grandchildren. As a skilled storyteller, he captivated his audience with his expressive blue eyes, deep voice, and animated gestures. Lou made a difference in the lives of so many people and will be sorely missed everyday."
He was always telling stories. He liked mythology, especially the art and gods of the Egyptians. Besides talking art he was always providing interesting trivia of places and things I never heard of — like the country of Tanna Tuva or of the Serbo-Croatian people (who wouldn't be in the general mainstream U.S. news until 1991) or that they used to make paint out of mummies. All fascinating information to my 13-year-old brain. I was able bring my art grade from a B in 6th grade to an A+ in eighth grade. After graduating from Mountview, I would visit him frequently while I attended high school and college. I could just visit by walking into the school through the back doors in the days before heightened security and school shootings.
His background and upbringing is from his obituary: "Lou graduated from Millbury Memorial High School in 1955, Massachusetts College of Arts Boston in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Art Education, and Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1962 with a Master of Arts. After graduating from Cranbrook Academy, he began his long and stellar career in the Holden School System, where he retired from teaching. He was a talented artist who had the ability to interpret his readings of mythology and ancient symbols into intricate pen and ink drawings. One such work was purchased by the Worcester Art Museum in Worcester, MA., for their permanent collections, and is displayed on a rotating basis.
One of his proudest accomplishments was becoming a 32nd degree Mason and his 57 years as an active member. Lou was a fascinating man with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He was an avid reader and cherished his expansive library with topics ranging from quantum physics to ancient civilizations. Everyone who knew him loved him; he was one of those people that could get along with anyone and talk about anything. He was a gentle intellectual who could easily clear the Jeopardy board while sketching a cartoon for one of his grandchildren. As a skilled storyteller, he captivated his audience with his expressive blue eyes, deep voice, and animated gestures. Lou made a difference in the lives of so many people and will be sorely missed everyday."
Landmark article on Lou Lucas
Published March 23., 2023
