“Mr. Luce” to generations of NRHS students
Published in the July 21, 2016 edition
AMESBURY — Harry Joseph Lucier Jr., a lifelong Amesbury resident, died peacefully in his lakeside home on June 26 after a period of declining health. He was 79.
Born in Worcester, he was the son of the late Harry J. Lucier Sr. and Florida M. (Savignac) Lucier.
Harry was a graduate of Ecole du Sacre Coeur and of Amesbury High School, Class of 1954. He received his B.S. in Biology from Boston University, graduating cum laude and continued his post–graduate studies, receiving his M.S. from Boston State.
He began his career teaching science at Newburyport High School in the early 1960’s. In the late ’60’s, Mr. Lucier started to teach science and biology at North Reading High School and became known to generations of students as “Mr. Luce.” A gifted pianist and singer, Mr. Lucier enjoyed stage productions and assisted with each year’s N.R.H.S. Masquer’s Club spring musical. He also served as advisor to the National Honor Society and chaired various other clubs and committees during his tenure. Mr. Lucier retired from NRHS in 1996, primarily to care for his ailing parents and manage the farm on which they lived. He eventually returned to education, becoming a full time substitute for both the Amesbury Middle and High Schools, until 2015.
Mr. Lucier felt one of his greatest personal achievements was the preservation of the south side of Woodsom Farm in Amesbury. While not its founder, in the late ’90’s, Mr. Lucier became a vocal member of “Stop The Bulldozer,” a committee that, through a grass–roots ballot initiative, thwarted a proposal to construct soccer fields on “the sledding hill,” leaving the rolling meadows and expansive vistas for all to continue to enjoy.
An avid collector, he was fond of frequenting any bazaar, flea market, yard sale or auction he happened upon, relishing the chance to find an overlooked treasure.
In addition to his wife Andrea, Mr. Lucier is survived by three sons: John, Mark and Michael, all of Amesbury as well as their families; a brother, Eugene R. Lucier, M.D., and his wife Priscilla Morse of Winstead, CT; one niece and five nephews.
Mr. Lucier’s ashes were scatted at various locations of his choosing. At his final request, there were neither calling hours nor a funeral Mass.
In lieu of flowers, those so moved are encouraged to teach something, share a talent or skill, or otherwise impart their knowledge to someone willing to learn and continue to enlighten the world.
