Local church community reels from loss of murdered deacon and wife

by John Benson

The community of Archangel Michael Orthodox Church in Broadview Heights is still reeling from the Nov. 12 murder of deacon Dennis Lucak and his wife, Helen, both 72. Their son, Michael, has been charged with the murders.

“It’s a complete shock and a devastating thing in anyone’s life,” said the Rev. John Memorich, rector at Archangel. “A parish is a big family. That’s what a church is supposed to be, brothers and sisters in Christ gathered together, but you don’t expect these kinds of things to happen.

“I saw him [Dennis Lucak] the Saturday night [before] at services, and then when he didn’t show up on Sunday, I thought maybe he got sick, but he didn’t text or email. Then, to find out that they’re both gone like that, it’s just devastating. I can’t think of another word. Everybody was stunned that something like this can happen so close to home.”

Lucak, a North Royalton resident and lifelong member of Archangel Michael Orthodox Church, had a long family history in the parish.

His European-born grandparents were founding members of the church in 1922 when it was located on Union Avenue in Cleveland. Lucak decided to become a deacon in the mid-1990s, around the time Memorich arrived at the Mill Road church.

Early on, Lucak’s faith and support stood out to the young priest.

“Everybody is special, and everybody tries to practice their faith, but some people are just called by God to exert a little bit more effort and serve in a greater capacity,” Memorich said. “Dennis chose to go to the three-year [deacon] program and to grow in his faith. He really enjoyed that aspect of this added ministry in his life.

“Also, Deacon Dennis was always on my side when I first came here, and was wet behind the ears. For a young priest coming into a large parish, it was so nice and refreshing. He was a respected member of the parish who spoke up. That kind of won a lot of people over in my direction for how we were going to do things.”

Memorich said Helen was also an important part of the church community.

“Helen was much more reserved,” Memorich said. “She was kind of that quintessential wife who might not get in the spotlight, but was always there to help and make her husband shine that much more brightly.”

Church parishioner Phil Tesar remembered the family fondly.

“Deacon Dennis always greeted you with compassion,” Tesar said. “Helen was quiet, but always very personable and easy to talk to. They were a wonderful couple who will be greatly missed by our entire parish.”

Added parishioner Kathy Mindala, “Deacon Dennis and Helen were very active in our various groups around the church. They loved being around their church family, especially for social functions. We’ll truly miss them both but find comfort that we had so many wonderful years with them.”

Memorich said it will take time for Lucak’s death to sink in.

“It’s like you instinctively want to turn to him and say something or remind him to pray for somebody, and he’s just not there to turn to,” Memorich said. “There’s an empty void next to me at the service. To know he’s not going to be serving anymore, he’s not going to be standing at my side at the altar, that just started to really hit home.”

 

Featured image photo caption: Dennis and Helen Lucak