Clifford E. Lucas

Olean- Clifford Earl Lucas 

March 11, 1935 – August 14, 2023

Clifford E. Lucas, 88, passed away Monday, August 14, 2023 at Cuba Memorial Hospital.

Clifford was born March 11, 1935 in Olean, NY. He was the son of the Preston L. and Lucy (McLauglin) Lucas. After graduating from Olean High School in 1953, he followed in his father’s footsteps and began work at Clark Brothers/Dresser Industries. Through the company’s co-op program, he attended the University of Cincinnati where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science in engineering. He continued at the company as a mechanical engineer until 1974. On November 28, 1964 he married Donna Taylor of Olean, NY, who predeceased him on May 26, 2010. 

In 1974 the family relocated to Emmaus, Pa and he began the next chapter of his career as a mechanical engineer in the L.N.G. division of Air Products and Chemicals in the Trexlertown, PA headquarters where he continued to work until his retirement in 2001. 

Clifford found a second chance at love when he returned to his home town of Olean, NY and married Maxine (Amore) Miller on December 28, 2013. They shared a happy decade together until she predeceased him on August 6, 2023. 

Clifford was an active member of First Baptist Church of Olean, both in his youth and after returning to Olean in 2013. He was also a member of First Presbyterian Church of Olean, NY, and a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church in Emmaus, PA. He loved singing as a bass in the choir and volunteered in many various roles at each of the churches as well. 

Surviving are: Daughters, Heidi (Jeff) Cleveland and Jenny Lynn Lucas; granddaughter Taylor Elizbeth Cleveland; sisters, Shirley DeGroff-Ratts, Kathryn Heinz, Margaret Shultz, and Willarane Sears, Sisters-in-law, Dorothy Lucas and Marsha Reynolds; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Clifford was predeceased by his first wife of 46 years, Donna Taylor Lucas; his second wife of 10 years, Maxine Miller Lucas; brothers Preston L. “Roy” Lucas and Billie D. Lucas.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:00am at the Olean First Baptist Church at which time a memorial service will be held by Interim Pastor the Rev. Ivan F. Crossno. Burial will be in Chestnut Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com