EDWARD LUKIN, 87, of Port Charlotte, Florida died Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Douglas T. Jacobson State Veteran’s Nursing Home in Port Charlotte.
Edward was born August 29, 1927 in New York, New York to the late George and Rose (Holanik) Lukin. He grew up in a Czech neighborhood on Manhattan’s Eastside where he learned to speak Czech before he learned English. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps at 15 but when his mother discovered this she made the recruiter release him due to his age; he re-enlisted as soon as he turned 17. He served in U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and the Korean War. He returned to NYC after the war, where he married the love of his life Margaret Virgin. Together, they move to Gunnison Colorado were Edward attended Western State College on the GI Bill. After, two years he transferred to Penn State in State College, Pennsylvania; during this time their two children were born. He graduated with a liberal arts degree and later earned a master’s degree from Hunter College, NYC. Edward retired after working more than 20 years as social worker for the City of New York. He moved to Port Charlotte 20 years ago from Arizona, and joined the Marine Corps League of Charlotte County Detachment #756. He volunteered at ECHO in Fort Meyers, and visited area nursing homes with his therapy dog Amy for many years. Edward was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping. He taught his sons to appreciate the beauty of the Catskill Mountains. He loved animals and had a passion for gardening. He was an avid reader, who had an incredible vocabulary and in his earlier days wrote poetry. His neighbors will recall the exotic plants that he grew and the wines that he made from tropical fruits. He will be remembered by friends and family for his love of life, his zeal, and his commitment to any project or task he undertook. He will be missed by many, but he will not be forgotten.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret A. Lukin of Port Charlotte; two sons, Craig(Cindy) Lukin of Seattle, WA and Mark(Ann) Lukin of Margaretville, NY; a sister, Lillian Woessner of Arizona; a brother-in-law, Arthur Weirgin of Ho-Ho-Kus NJ; and a grandson, Alexander Lukin.
Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to sign the memory book and extend condolences to the family. Private arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.