Frank J. Lucatelli
March 4, 1945 – March 26, 2022
A private graveside service to honor his Bahá’í Faith and life was held at Comstock Cemetery.
Obituary
Age 77, passed away from cardiac arrest at his home on March 26, 2022. He was born in Detroit, Mich., the son of Joseph and Anne (Cedroni) Lucatelli. Trained as an architect, Frank possessed a deeply intellectual mind and questioning spirit. He was passionate about the betterment of his community and pursued that aim in both practical and groundbreaking ways. Friends remember him for his generous laugh and gentle heart. Frank will be missed by his wife of 50 years, Virginia “Dede” Lucatelli; daughters Kathryn (Brian Green) Lucatelli and Karen (Jesse) Williams; grandchildren Emmanuel and Lucia Williams; sister Janice (Chuck) Gorski; and a loving extended family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Laughter. So much laughter. Such a wonderful, big laugh that you couldn’t help but share in his joy every time you saw him. His generous spirit will be greatly missed from our lives.
Dede, may God bless Frank. We are saddened to hear of his passing and will miss his enthusiasm for ideas, his laughter and his generous spirit. Many prayers for his soul’s progress in all the worlds of God. — Bill and Sandy
Dear DeDe So sad to hear of Franks passing. I will always remember his laugh. What a wonderful man, thinking of you & the girls! My best, Susie
I am sorry for your loss.
The Friends of Historic East Campus were fortunate to have had Frank as an active member of the Board of Directors for the many years during which we worked to preserve the National Register of Historic Places architecture at Western Michigan University. Frank’s knowledge and commitment to the important goal of leaving the best of our shared past as a beacon to future students was an inspiration to all of us…we offer our deepest sympathy to his family. David Brose, Chairman FOHEC
Dede, Michelle and I were so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that you and the family are in our prayers!
Dede, Frank was a nice…a GREAT guy and Architect.! Best wishes to you and your family. Nelson
Ahh what a soul! Frank will be sorely missed by me and so many. There are few beings like Frank in a world in need of compassion, laughter, and unique brilliance..I will treasure my memory of Frank.
I will always have the memory of Franks laugh. He had a great big laugh that made you smile and laugh. Although I haven’t seen him in over 20 years I will always remember his kindness. He was truly just a nice and kind man. I know that he will be missed.
I met Frank at the University of Detroit in 1969. He was a wonderful, kind man. I spoke to him, a couple of times, since he was in the Kalamazoo area. Recently, I had a feeling that he had passed away. Condolences to his family!
I worked with Frank for several years at the University of Detroit where he and I and David Paul’s and Bill Turner’s worked with Buckminster Fuller to create the world game which we held in the fall of 1970 to the spring of 71. Frank was an extremely bright man as well as having a great sense of humor and a dedication to his bahai faith and his belief in everything noetic. I was with him when he first met Deedee and saw his eyes sparkle and a warm glow appear on his face. I could tell he was smitten at that moment. And of course DD was adorable and cute as a button. I have extremely fond memories of working with Frank at the University of Detroit. He was a creator, and artist, and one hell of a good friend and human being.