Edward Lucz

Life Legacy Coach Ed Lucz of Tucson left on his last great adventure on July 20, 2015. He departed peacefully with his family around him. Ed was born August 9, 1933 in E. St. Louis, IL to Julia and Joseph Lucz, both Polish immigrants. He played football for Quincy College and Missouri State, where he earned his BA in Biology and Physical Education. Later he received his MA in Education from the U of A. In 1955 he married Carolyn Abrahamson in Iowa City. In 1958 he moved his family to Tucson to teach at Salpointe Catholic H.S. where he coached football, wrestling, track and field. Ed became head football coach in 1966. Ed’s long teaching and coaching career included Tucson H.S. and other TUSD schools which reflected his love of students and sports. Adventure travel was his great passion, whether it was camping in Mexico or trekking in Borneo. He visited 140 countries, 50 states and 7 continents. He was also a master outdoorsman and outdoor chef, teaching his daughters to camp, fish, hunt, hike and make his “world famous” pig hunter beans. He lived passionately from his heart. He loved to make others laugh and blessed the world with his stories, jokes, mentoring, and modeling to live big and laugh often. He loved to make new friends, travel to new places, try new things and embrace different cultures. He was compassionate, kind and generous of spirit. He only knew how to love one way-- with every fiber of his being. He is deeply missed by his daughters: Linda, JoKay, Judy, Tricia (Carl Foster) and Diana; grandchildren: Joshua, Natalia, Matthew (Carmen), Kristina, Serena, Luca and Gabriele; and great-grandchildren: Dominic, Tristan, Sofia and Andrés. He and Carolyn divorced after 33 years of marriage but always remained friends. He was so proud of everyone in the family supporting them in everything they did. He will be remembered for his love of family, humor, and inspiring us to travel and live life to the fullest. A Rosary will be held on Sunday, August 9 (his birthday) at 2 p.m. at Angel Valley Funeral Home, 2545 N. Tucson Blvd. followed by eulogies. A Mariachi Mass will be celebrated on Monday, August 10, at 10 a.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 3201 E. Presidio Rd. with a reception following in the parish hall. Donations can be made to Salpointe Catholic H.S. scholarship fund in memory of Coach Ed Lucz.