Bernice “Bernie” (Hurchla) Lucas – 80 – of Hornell, died Tuesday morning (December 27, 2022) at her home, following a long illness.

Born in Johnson City, NY on September 21, 1942 she was the daughter of Joseph & Mary (Maio) Hurchla.

Bernie was the beloved wife of the late Robert “Bob” Lucas; loving mother of Robert (Linda) Lucas, Joseph (Andrea) Lucas, Andrew “AJ” (Teri) Lucas; sister to Liz Finch of Binghamton, NY and Elsie Thompson of Lilburn, Georgia; cherished grandmother of Jared and Mackenzie Lucas; beloved aunt to several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Mary (Maio) Hurchla; her husband, Robert “Rob” Lucas; her daughter Rebecca “Becky” Lucas, and her two brothers, Joseph “JR” Hurchla and Anthony “Tony” Hurchla.

A 1960 graduate of Johnson City High School, she married Bob on January 13, 1962. When Bernice and Bob started their family, she became a stay-at-home mom.  In the 1970s, Bernie became an office clerk for Tuttle & Rockwell Department Store in Hornell.  She later changed careers and became a teacher’s aide for the BOCES Program in Hornell High School.  She retired 20 years ago.

Bernie was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church.  She was an avid reader and she especially enjoyed reading mystery and romance novels.  In her younger years, Bernie served as a coach in the Cinderella Softball League.  She was a true Buffalo Bills fan (especially during the Super Bowl years).  More recently, she was a member of the Red Hat Society.

The family would like to thank Bernie’s devoted friend and neighbor Christine Petrilli, for her compassionate and steadfast friendship with their mom along with the entire Fulton Street neighbors.  The family would also like to thank the members of the Hornell City Ambulance Service and CareFirst Hospice for the professional and sympathetic care they selflessly gave to Bernie during her final days.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4 PM until 6:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City, NY.

Bernie’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in her name to either CareFirst Hospice, 3805 Meads Creek Road, Painted Post, NY  14870 (carefirstny.org)  or to Special Olympics, 1 Grove St., Suite 216, Pittsford, NY  14534.  Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.

Bernie loved her family, she loved her vodka, and she loved her husband.  And now she rests in peace with him.

To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com