Nicholas R. Lucy, 84, of Dubuque, passed away on his birthday, February 16, 2024.

Visitation will be from 3:00-7:00 pm., Thursday, February 29, 2024 and from 9:30-10:15a.m., Friday, March 1, 2024 at St. Raphael’s Cathedral, Dubuque. Funeral Services will be at 10:30a.m., Friday, March 1, 2024 at the church with Rev. Dennis Quint officiating. Mass will be live-streamed at www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com. Full Military Honors will be accorded by American Legion Post 6 of Dubuque, the East Dubuque Drum & Bugle Corps, and the United States Navy.

Nicholas was born on February 16, 1940, to William “Bill” and Loretta (McHale) Lucy in the mining town of Leadville, Colorado, but grew up in East Dubuque, Illinois along the Mississippi River. The second oldest of five children, he lost his dad when he was just 14. He graduated from East Dubuque High School in 1957, where he was a multi-sport athlete and played trumpet in the marching band. He enlisted in the US Navy at age 17, serving one year in the Naval Reserves and 4 years on active duty in the Pacific aboard the submarine U.S.S. Medregal. Upon discharge from the Navy, Nick spent several months hitchhiking in the West and Pacific Northwest, visiting family and making new friends. Then he subsequently became a staff sergeant in the US Air Force in Cheyenne, Wyoming, from 1962-63, where he trained in communications. When he returned home, he began a 40 year career as a telephone technician at Northwestern Bell (later CenturyLink) where he was a proud union member of CWA local 7110. He was united in marriage to Linda (German) Lucy on November 26, 1977 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Nick has always been involved in the local community, volunteering and serving a wide variety of organizations, a trait that he passed on to his 5 children. Some of the organizations Nick was involved with included American Legion Post 6, where he served as Commander in 1985, ran their annual oratorical contest, and served on their State Legislative Committee for years. A bugler since he was young, he marched and played in the East Dubuque Drum & Bugle Corps for 69 years, as well as being a member of the American Legion funeral detail for over 50 years, playing taps at thousands of veterans’ funerals in his lifetime. Nick’s other involvement in the Dubuque community included work with the Rescue Mission, Art Museum, Salvation Army, VFW, Telephone Pioneers, Camera Club, the Dubuque Federation of Labor and he was a proud, longstanding member of the Dubuque Democratic party.

Photography was a lifelong passion, beginning at the age 15 when he purchased his first brownie camera. He was also an artist who worked in pastels, watercolors & charcoal. And he loved coloring Easter eggs and carving pumpkins with the grandkids. He was a great cook & loved to garden. He enjoyed canoeing, swimming, and golfing and being a lifelong learner. Nick traveled with his wife Linda to Australia, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, & Mexico, with their last adventure together being an Alaskan Cruise in August 2023. And he loved spirited discussions.

Nick is survived by his wife of 46 years, Linda; children, Laura (David) Lucy-Ilan of Macon, GA, Eric (Linda) Lucy of Dubuque, Christine Lucy of Wheeling, IL, Keith (Annette) Lucy of Dubuque, and Melissa German of Dubuque; grandchildren, Teva (Rachel) Shapiro, Amitai Ilan, Gary Pena, Josh (Bethany) Pena, Jack Lucy, Noah (Meghan) Lucy, and Kirsten Lucy; great-grandchildren, Liz, Preston, Orion, Leo, and Chaya; and one great-great-grandchild, Ruby. He is also survived by a sister, Irene (Don) Kaukaskie, sisters-in-law, Barb (Dale) Grunewald, and Denise German, and brother-in-law, Bruce German as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews and special friend, Karen Juergens.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bill Lucy; sisters, Lorettta Lucy, Sandra Vaughn; brother-in-law Fred Vaughn; and nephew, Dale Kaukaskie.

In lieu of flowers, a Nicholas R. Lucy Memorial Fund has been established where memorial contributions will be distributed to Nick’s favorite charitable community organizations.

Nick’s family extends a most heartfelt thank you to everyone for the wonderful support given during this very difficult time. Your kindness and compassion will never be forgotten.

The Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Funeral Home and Crematory is entrusted with arrangements.