Lucas George Tramontana

RICHMOND, Ind. – Lucas George Tramontana, age 81, of Richmond, died Monday, November 26, 2012. He passed away peacefully in the house that he built with his family at his side. Lucas is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Aletha J. Orlea Tramontana; sons, Terry Tramontana of California, Craig Tramontana of Oregon, and Brad (Peggy) Tramontana of Indiana; daughter, Renata (Martin) Tramontana-Vince of South Carolina; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was born March 21, 1931, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, the only child of Jorge Leopoldo and Fannie Burich Tramontana. Lucas grew up in Europe on the Croation Island of Vis and resided in Richmond since 1964. He came to the United States to attend the University of Chicago, graduating in 1956 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Early in his career, Lucas was asked to engineer a commercial gas stove for Colonel Sanders, a design still used today by KFC. He retired in 1990 as chief engineer from the International Division of the Hoover Company in North Canton, Ohio. After retiring, he and his wife, Aletha, opened a bookstore and gift shop which they continued to operate for 20 years. Lucas was fluent in five languages, all of which he used to good effect on the many international trips the Tramontana family took together. Lucas and Aletha saw the whole world together. Lucas was diagnosed with multiple myeloma on Thanksgiving Day 2008. Despite the disease, he continued living as he always did with unceasing energy, including traveling to Poland with his wife, Aletha, in 2010. Lucas lived the fullest life possible, never slowing down for anything. He leaves a legacy of family and great achievement. Visitation for Lucas George Tramontana will be from 4 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, November 29, 2012, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Liturgy of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 30, 2012, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 815 West Main Street, Richmond, with Father Kevin Morris officiating. Burial will be in St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: IUF /Myeloma Research Fund, IU Cancer Center, c/o IU Foundation, P.O. Box 660245, Indianapolis, IN 46266-0245. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com

Lucas George Tramontana

March 21, 1931 - November 26, 2012