F. Jack Luzzi, World War II veteran

F. Jack Luzzi, a longtime resident of Lewes, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 11, 2017, at his home, with his loving family by his side. He was born March 28, 1915, in Pittsburgh, Pa., to Angelo and Philomina Luzzi.

When he was an infant, his family moved to Northern New Jersey, where he graduated from Nutley High School in 1934. After graduation, he realized that, because of the Great Depression, there were no local jobs available. He decided to take work abroad in the Civilian Conservation Corps that was created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This decision to work for the CCC, he would later claim, was one of the most rewarding events of his life. His assignments would take him to Tennessee, Washington State and Delaware. Once in Lewes, he immediately fell in love, and married Ruth Warrington. They remained happily married for 54 years.

With the outbreak of World War II, he was called to serve in 1942, becoming a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps. After basic training at Seymour Johnson Air Field in Goldsboro, N.C., he was deployed to a repair depot in Warrington, England, in support of the European Theatre of Operation. After serving two-and-a-half years overseas, he was honorably discharged, earning the rank of S/SGT, and returned back home to Lewes.

After his return home, he accepted a job with the Federal Civil Service at Fort Miles in Lewes. When the base closed, he was transferred to Dover Air Force Base. He retired from the Federal Civil Service in 1973. He then became a teller with Sussex Trust Bank in Lewes, retiring in 1980.

He was a member of the Lewes Lions Club for over 50 years, holding the office of president in 1954 and 1964. He also was a two-time zone chairman, and deputy district governor at the Lions District level. In May 1971, he was chairman of the 22nd District Luncheon at the 49th Annual Convention in Cape May, N.J. Jack played a leading role in establishing the Lewes Senior Center, and served as its first president.

He served as a Eucharistic Minister and lector at both St. Edmond and St. Jude's Catholic Church. He was president of the St. Edmond’s Parish Council from 1974-75. He was a member of the Lewes Historical Society and the Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540.

His hobbies included camping, fishing, crabbing and gardening. He loved to dance, and watch the hummingbirds at the many feeders he placed around his yard. Most of all, he loved being with his family.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Ruth (Warrington) Luzzi; his son, William; son-in-law, Louis A. Rickards; and brothers William, Orlando (Mickey), Leonard, and Frank.

He is survived by his daughter, Naomi L. Rickards; grandson, William J. (Hank) Rickards and his wife Jeannie; granddaughter, Patricia L. Dickerson and her husband Woody; great-grandson, Michael Rickards; great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn Arnett; great-great-grandson due any day, Christopher J. Rickards; and his sister, Carmella Denton of Ottowa, Kan.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, May 16, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro. Services will also be held at the funeral home Wednesday, May 17, at noon, where friends may call after 11 a.m. Interment will be at the Millsboro Cemetery immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing, 424 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.