Angelo Vito Lucia
What can I say that you don't know or feel about this wonderful man with a beautiful mind? To me Angelo was an uncle, big brother, and best friend.
In many ways he was a simple man, but yet very complex man.
If you did not know Angelo, and you were to view him from the distance, you would conclude that he was in deed a very simple man. Angelo never journeyed too far into the physical world. He lived in the same house all of his life. He worked for the same company and performed pretty much the same job for 35 years.
Yet, we who had the great opportunity to share his life and to get to know the mind and soul of Angelo Vito Lucia know differently. We knew him to be an unusually complex and deep man. He was a student of the world. He was a philosopher, a psychologist, a historian, a wonderful storyteller and a natural born comedian whose sense of humor was uncanny. He was learned beyond his formal education. He had fine taste for style in clothing and automobiles yet dressed simply and drove basic cars. He was an audiophile with a rich and diverse knowledge of music. He had a great memory that recorded people, what they said and even the cars they drove. He had a passion for life.
As a kid I admired how cool he was. He introduced me to a wide variety of music; he shared his knowledge of cars, clothing and style with me. I remember holding a baseball that he tossed to me on his way out to a date. The fresh scent of Canoe still lingered on the ball as I watched his shinny black Cadillac disappear into that long ago summer night. Canoe is still my favorite cologne. I thought what a cool uncle I had.
As a teen and young man I started to appreciate what an insightful mind he had. What ever problem I encountered, rebellion, anger, insecurity, heartbreak, and whatever other difficulties young people struggle with at the start of their journey through adulthood, Angelo was there. Not only as a great listener, but a clear thinker. No matter how well I thought a problem through or how lost and hopeless I felt, Angelo would always be there to point out new and insightful thoughts to broaden my options.
Angelo knew people and what made them tick. When I worked with him at Pitney Bowes his observations and thoughts about the business world, or more importantly the people in business, served me better than any MBA degree. He saw people's strengths and weaknesses with such clearness.
Angelo was a man of deep faith. He never pushed his beliefs but showed his love for God's wonders in his actions. He took great care of his mother and helped numb her pain of ageing and dieing with humor and love. As the youngest of 9 brothers and sisters, he played the perfect baby brother. Always joining them in celebrating the milestones that families share with love and humor.
He was a friend of the world. He didn't preach this or that cause. He lived it. His range of friends was as wide and as diverse as his mind. He was able to communicate with comfort and confidence with people of all ages, color, beliefs, and social status. I don't think it was just luck that he was never bothered on Ann St., even at its worst of times. He had a way disarming aggression without ever lifting a finger, but only opening a mind. He knew what people needed, even if they didn't.
We will deeply miss this man with the beautiful mind and soul. I will regret not having him there for my children and yours. As much as it hurts to lose him it should bring joy to our hearts that we had the opportunity to share in this wonderful man's life. I am proud to say that this wonderful man with a beautiful mind was my uncle, my big brother, and my best friend.
