John Lucotch

John A. Lucotch, 88, of Great Falls, died of natural causes Friday, April 18th, at Peace Hospice.The family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., on Thursday, April 24th at Schnider Funeral Home. The funeral liturgy will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25th at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church followed by burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery with military honors. A reception will follow at the Church. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.John was born in Beekman, Washington on December 30, 1925 to John and Mary Lucotch. After the mines there closed, the family moved to Sand Coulee where he attended school and graduated from Centerville High School. He married Pearl Bazzoli on May 3, 1947. They had three children together. Pearl passed away on April 17th, 2011.He worked 41 years at Montana Refining Company, now Calumet Refining, from 3-29-1948 to 12-31-1987. He also worked 41 years as a bartender at Joes Place where he made many lifelong friends. John served in the Army Battery B 382nd Anti-Artillery Battalion during WWII and fought in the Battle of Luzon in the Philippines. He served in the Motor Pool, and lastly, at Yokahama Harbor until the end of the War. He was a lifelong member of VFW Post 1087.As an accomplished welder, he crafted a multitude of iron works. His handiwork can be seen many places throughout Great Falls. It was not uncommon for someone to stop and request help with a welding project and John was always more than willing to help.John is survived by his children, daughter Sandra (Jim) McKenna and son, Gregory (Linda), both of Great Falls; grandchildren John (Tami) McKenna of Lake Tapps, WA, Shelley (Victor) Marquez of Santa Fe, NM, Stephanie (Christopher) Kaleva of Bozeman, and John (Katie) Lucotch of Greely, CO; great-grandchildren Sydney and Calvin McKenna of Washington and Jillian and Logan Kaleva of Bozeman; sister Barbara Roberts of Liberty Lake, WA; sister-in-law Helen Lucotch of Great Falls; and brother-in-law Gene Booen of Roseville; CA, along with cousins, and many nieces and nephews.In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Donald and Edward; sister Verona Booen; and his daughter, Mary Ann, who died shortly after birth.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Peace Hospice, PO Box 7008, Great Falls, MT 59406-7008 or Our Lady of Lourdes School Fund, 409 13th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405.