William Alphonse Lukash, age 77, died Wednesday, March 22 ^nd , 2023, at the James A. Haley Veterans Affairs Hospital in Tampa, FL, where he was fondly well-known as, "Big Al."

William was born on May 13, 1945, in Burlington, VT, the first child of Bernard W. and Nancy (Falzarano) Lukash. He grew up in White River Junction, working as a paper boy for the Valley News, and serving as an altar boy at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. While in high school he played on the football team, along with participating in the Dramatics Club, Track, the Varsity Club, and Choir. Bill was graduated from Hartford High School in the Class of 1963. He went on to seminary study with the Servants of the Paraclete in Barre, VT. While on a leave of absence from the seminary during the Vietnam War, he was drafted and subsequently served his country refueling and supplying airplanes in the US Navy, as well as obtaining naval training to work on shipboard as a photojournalist.

After his honorable discharge in San Diego, Bill chose to settle in Oceanside, CA, where he initially worked for Pacific Gas & Electric. Then, Bill's entrepreneurial spirit took hold. He delighted for a time in owning and operating an ice cream truck that he drove throughout local neighborhoods, bringing frozen confections to all who came running at its singular sound. Eventually while living in Oceanside, he became a serious real estate investor where his acquisitions included his private home overlooking the Pacific Ocean, residential rentals, and the ownership and operation of a local laundromat. During this time, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, causing him to eventually sell his business holdings in California and return to the Upper Valley where he lived until the late 1990s before moving to Florida. Still undaunted by his illness, for a time after relocating he invested in and opened his pizza place, "Slice of Heaven." Running the business, however, soon became too challenging in the face of his increasing disabilities. By living in Clearwater and then Tampa, he was at least able to both receive the specialized care he needed at the VA, and enjoy the warm climate which (even though a loyal Vermonter through and through) was better for his condition than the cold New England winters.

Bill was a talented and avid photographer, and a dog breeder with numerous canine "fur baby" companions over his lifetime, including his beloved dalmatians and many chihuahuas of all sizes. He was actively connected with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, ministering in prayer to fellow veterans, and was a lector in the VA chapel services for many years.

Bill's love of the ocean was evident throughout his lifetime; whether from learning to surf in Hawaii to his California real estate purchases, and by ultimately settling in Florida, his preference for being near beaches was quite clear. When his debility prevented him from leaving his bed and enjoying the beach in person, whenever he wasn't watching Mass online or on TV, or playing CDs of the Bible or the Praying of the Rosary, he spent non-stop hours listening to soothing recordings of ocean waves as a constant and comforting background.

He is survived by his brother, Joseph Lukash, and Joseph's wife, Bill's sister-in-law, Sandra (Vrooman) Lukash of Wilder, VT; his sister, Helen Lukash of Bedford, MA; two nieces, Anna Kristen Savoie and Nicole (Lukash) Neal; two nephews, Evan Lukash and Matthew Lukash, and Matthew's wife, Emilie Lukash; one grandniece, two grandnephews, and numerous cousins. Bill has also had several caring and dedicated friends who remained close to him throughout the years, regardless of any geographic distance between them and for whom he was always most appreciative.

A heartfelt note of thanks goes out to the dedicated staff of the Tampa VA Hospital, and in particular the truly exceptional caregivers in the SCI-F Unit where Bill resided for the past 15 years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on June 16 ^th , 2023, at St. Anthony's Church, 15 Church Street, in White River Junction, VT at 11 a.m.

Committal Services and Burial will be in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery on Route 5, Hartford Avenue, in White River Junction, VT at 2:30 p.m. on the same day.

In lieu of visiting hours, the family asks that you join them at Thyme Restaurant, 85 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT immediately following the Mass for a light luncheon, and time of fellowship and reminiscence. Condolences may be expressed to Bill's family in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com .

Memorial contributions may be made to any of his preferred charities:

Vermont Catholic Charities
Donate by phone at 802-658-6111, online at vermontcatholic.org , or by check made out to Vermont Catholic Charities and mailed to 55 Joy Drive, Burlington, VT 05403

Cross Catholic Outreach
Donate by phone at 800-914-2420, online at crosscatholic.org , or by check made out to Cross Catholic Charities and sent to P.O. Box 273908, Boca Raton, FL 33427-3908

Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN)
Donate by phone at 800-447-3986, online at ewtn.com , or by check sent to Eternal Word Television Network, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210