Obituary of Earl J. Luce Jr.

Earl J Luce, Jr

Brockport: Passed away suddenly on Sunday, May 28, 2023 at the age of 69; two days before his 70^th birthday.  He is predeceased by his father Earl Luce Sr and his son Matthew Luce.  He is survived by his loving wife of almost 50 years, Laura Luce, as well as his daughter Shannon Luce, mother Josephine Luce, sister Patti Rubino, grandson Michael Luce, granddaughter Julia Luce, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Earl will be remembered as one of the most caring and compassionate individuals, cherished and loved by many. With his quick wit, fun sense of humor, and captivating storytelling abilities, he effortlessly formed connections, making anyone he met feel like an instant friend. It was easy to meet him and within minutes feel as though you had been friends forever. Evident to all, Earl was an exceptional husband, father and friend; he treasured his family and held his dearest friends close to his heart. He took immense pride in his wife and children.

Earl was known for his love of all thing’s aviation. Throughout his 40+ years of flying, his dedication to the craft never wavered. In 2000, he resurrected his beloved Buttercup, and in 2002 took his own build for its first flight.  He created LuceAir LLC for Airplane Construction Consulting surrounding the Buttercup build.  In 2009, he received the Tony Bingelis Award for this effort. Renowned for his mechanical expertise in the aircraft he held dear, Earl was always ready to assist anyone seeking guidance on their own airplane constructions. He taught numerous welding courses and gave many speeches around the country sharing his knowledge and expertise of the buttercup aircraft. Many of those sharing in his passion or seeking his assistance became as close as family. 

Earl had a love and appreciation for life. He was a lifelong learner with an appetite for adventure. Over the years, he pursued various hobbies including hunting, fishing, cooking and many others. His immersion led to the creation of many handmade innovations, such as his own fishing lures and restoration of broken deer antlers into stunning mounts. His welding skills allowed him to transform his imagination into tangible works of art. He took great joy in bringing his thoughts to life and delighted in sharing them with others, representing his generous and creative spirit.

Earl J. Luce, Jr. will be dearly missed by all whose lives he touched. His legacy of compassion, humor, and zest for life will forever live on in the hearts and memories of those who had the privilege of knowing him.