Raymond Lukasik

Raymond “Ray” Lukasik, 92, of Rockford, Illinois, died suddenly on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. 

 Ray lived a long full life. Growing up in Canton, IL the youngest of 11 children, Ray knew hard work at a young age. His steadfast work habits began at the age of 11 when he was employed to work in a butcher shop (a position he lost when his employer found out his real age, but regained when they realized how much his hard work was missed). This work ethic and his desire to follow his immigrant father’s advice “Get an education—no one can take that away from you,” directed him to a promise of a college education through the GI Bill. Ray enlisted in the Navy and served in the Korean War. 

 At Naval Station Newport Rhode Island, Ray met his future wife Dee. The two began their journey together in 1955 and through their relationship they developed, nurtured and grew both a kind, productive family and a successful career. Ray began working at Borg Warner in the mail room and through education, determination and drive, he worked his way up to being the Comptroller of the two Rockford Borg Warner divisions by the end of his 28 year career.

 While his career was on the move, his family was growing. Between work and working on his college degrees (undergraduate in Accounting and MBA), Ray focused on building a family that was kind, curious and industrious. Atlases, encyclopedias, art books, and all genres of fiction and music were available throughout the house to expose his children to all parts of culture and to encourage inquisitive minds. Summer vacations were a must, and the family would spend the year placing extra change into an old Nestle’s chocolate can to “pay for” the cost of the trip encouraging his children to plan ahead and save money. Packing up the family station wagon and venturing off to places in the east, west, north and south, he made sure his children saw a wide range of the American terrain and learned the history of this land, all the while documenting the adventures with his camera telling his children “one more picture” as they posed. 

 His children all graduated from college and began their own lives and though all five of his grandchildren lived in Texas, he and Dee made every effort to make sure they saw them often to build a loving relationship with each of them. After retirement, Ray and Dee took off on leisurely car tips to re-explore the US. Hiking, riding his bike and walking the number of miles in the year (where he kept a keen eye out for lost change) kept him busy and in shape. 

 Whether he was “Ray” to his wife, “dad” or “paaz” to his children or “Grandpa Ray” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Ray was loved beyond measure and the love he had for his family was evident in the multitude of pictures of his “kids” that surrounded his desk and projected on his computer screen. His wife remembers him as a good and loving husband and father, his children remember him as practical yet playful; his grandchildren as thoughtful, loving, kind, generous, a role-model; his great-grandchildren, as silly and a jokester. These are the descriptions of a life well lived. 

 Ray is preceded in death by five brothers and five sisters.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years Delores Lukasik, sons David Lukasik and Steve Lukasik and his wife Melanie, daughters Joanne Smith and Sue Hill and her husband Rod. Ray was the proud grandfather of five grandchildren along with their spouses and nine great-grandchildren: Joe and Bethan Jonesmith and their daughter Georgia; Meagan and Aaron Jackson and their children Charlie, Addie and Eli; Frannie and Carlos Sanchez and their children Santi and Ayla; Allie and Eric Hernandez and their children Ethan and Ada; Helen and Nico Cromwell and their son Charlie and step-grandchildren Alex and Brittany Hill. 

A time to gather and celebrate Ray's life will take place on Thursday, June 27, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, Illinois 61103. Memorial Mass to take place on Friday, June 27, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2400 Bell Ave., Rockford, Illinois 61103. Burial at Calvary Catholic Cemetery private to the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Goodwill organization. To send online condolences or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com