Obituary: Joseph “Tardy” Anthony Lucia Jr.

Published 5:00 pm Thursday, December 19, 2019

Joseph “Tardy” Anthony Lucia Jr. (July 3, 1945 – December 12, 2019)

Joseph “Tardy” Lucia Jr. passed from this life on December 12 at Regional Medical Center in San Jose, California. He was surrounded by family at the time of his death.

Tardy is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Anthony Lucia, Sr. and Eula Vedros Lucia; his son, Lt Col Joseph Anthony Lucia III, USMC (Dawn); and his grandson Zachary Charles Hoover.

Tardy was born in New Orleans. He was a former resident of Lutcher and LaPlace, Louisiana, prior to moving to California in 2008. He attended St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School then studied for the priesthood at St. Mary’s Manor in Pendell, Pennsylvania and later attended Lutcher High School. He graduated from Tulane University’s Executive Master of Business Administration program.

Joseph “Tardy” Lucia Jr. enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a Private in February 1965. After graduating training, he was assigned to the 2^nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as an Infantry Rifleman and was deployed to Vietnam for one year and seven months where he served bravely and honorably. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in June 1967, served with distinction, and was released from active service in January 1968 with full honors. His personal decorations include the Rifle Expert Badge, Pistol Expert Badge, National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star. As his friends and family will attest, the discipline and patriotism he learned in the Marine Corps never left him. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Tardy was the former owner and publisher of the L’Observateur. He published the St. John the Baptist Parish official journal, and was former President of the Louisiana Press Association. He initiated, and was the first President of, the LaPlace Rotary club. He was President of the LaPlace Centennial Committee and King DuMonde IX of the LaPlace Mardi Gras. Tardy was a professional diving instructor and received his pilot license in 1989.

When he moved to California in 2008 he became a member of Resurrection Church in Santa Cruz County and a Member of the Knights of Columbus.

Tardy spent much of his time volunteering for his church on the weekends, cooking for the homeless and teaching Californians about Cajun food. He gave much of his time to assist others throughout his life.

Joseph “Tardy” Lucia Jr. is survived by his brother, Ellis Lucia (Bevil), his sister Patricia Lucia Austin (Michael); his children Laura Lucia Wear (Blaine), Charles Lucia (Laura), Leigh Lucia Hoover (Michael), Dominick Lucia and Sidney Lucia; his grandchildren Joshua, Ryan, Adam, and Noah Hoover, Blaine Wear Jr, Breck Wear Middleton (Jordan); his great grandchildren Zaidyn, Lennyx, Declan, Jackson, Callie Hoover, and Harper Middleton. Tardy is also survived by numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on December 27, 2019 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 6484 LA Highway 44, Convent, Louisiana 70723.

Visitation will begin at 9am. Mass will follow at 11am. Immediately following the services a bereavement will be held at St. Michael’s Church Community Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home, 4080 W. Airline Hwy, Reserve, LA 70084 – Phone: (985) 479-4080.

Joseph “Tardy” Anthony Lucia Jr. (July 3, 1945 – December 12, 2019)

Joseph “Tardy” Lucia Jr. passed from this life on December 12 at Regional Medical Center in San Jose, California. He was surrounded by family at the time of his death.

Tardy is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Anthony Lucia, Sr. and Eula Vedros Lucia; his son, Lt Col Joseph Anthony Lucia III, USMC; and his grandson Zachary Charles Hoover.

Tardy was born in New Orleans. He was a former resident of Lutcher and LaPlace, Louisiana, prior to moving to California in 2008. He attended St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School then studied for the priesthood at St. Mary’s Manor in Pendell, Pennsylvania and later attended Lutcher High School. He graduated from Tulane University’s Executive Master of Business Administration program.

Joseph “Tardy” Lucia Jr. enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a Private in February 1965. After graduating training, he was assigned to the 2^nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as an Infantry Rifleman and was deployed to Vietnam for one year and seven months where he served bravely and honorably. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in June 1967, served with distinction, and was released from active service in January 1968 with full honors. His personal decorations include the Rifle Expert Badge, Pistol Expert Badge, National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star. As his friends and family will attest, the discipline and patriotism he learned in the Marine Corps never left him. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Tardy was the former owner and publisher of the L’Observateur. He published the St. John the Baptist Parish official journal, and was former President of the Louisiana Press Association. He initiated, and was the first President of, the LaPlace Rotary club. He was President of the LaPlace Centennial Committee and King DuMonde IX of the LaPlace Mardi Gras. Tardy was a professional diving instructor and received his pilot license in 1989.

When he moved to California in 2008 he became a member of Resurrection Church in Santa Cruz County and a Member of the Knights of Columbus.

Tardy spent much of his time volunteering for his church on the weekends, cooking for the homeless and teaching Californians about Cajun food. He gave much of his time to assist others throughout his life.

Joseph “Tardy” Lucia Jr. is survived by his brother, Ellis Lucia (Bevil), his sister Patricia Lucia Austin (Michael); his children Laura Lucia Wear (Blaine), Charles Lucia (Laura), Leigh Lucia Hoover (Michael), Dominick Lucia and Sidney Lucia; his grandchildren Joshua, Ryan, Adam, and Noah Hoover, Blaine Wear Jr, Breck Wear Middleton (Jordan); his great grandchildren Zaidyn, Lennyx, Declan, Jackson, Callie Hoover, and Harper Middleton. Tardy is also survived by numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on December 27, 2019 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 6484 LA Highway 44, Convent, Louisiana 70723.

Visitation will begin at 9am. Mass will follow at 11am. Immediately following the services a bereavement will be held at St. Michael’s Church Community Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home, 4080 W. Airline Hwy, Reserve, LA 70084 – Phone: (985) 479-4080.

Joseph “Tardy” Anthony Lucia Jr. (July 3, 1945 – December 12, 2019)

Joseph “Tardy” Lucia Jr. passed from this life on December 12 at Regional Medical Center in San Jose, California. He was surrounded by family at the time of his death.

Tardy is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Anthony Lucia, Sr. and Eula Vedros Lucia; his son, Lt Col Joseph Anthony Lucia III, USMC; and his grandson Zachary Charles Hoover.

Tardy was born in New Orleans. He was a former resident of Lutcher and LaPlace, Louisiana, prior to moving to California in 2008. He attended St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School then studied for the priesthood at St. Mary’s Manor in Pendell, Pennsylvania and later attended Lutcher High School. He graduated from Tulane University’s Executive Master of Business Administration program.

Joseph “Tardy” Lucia Jr. enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a Private in February 1965. After graduating training, he was assigned to the 2^nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as an Infantry Rifleman and was deployed to Vietnam for one year and seven months where he served bravely and honorably. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in June 1967, served with distinction, and was released from active service in January 1968 with full honors. His personal decorations include the Rifle Expert Badge, Pistol Expert Badge, National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star. As his friends and family will attest, the discipline and patriotism he learned in the Marine Corps never left him. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Tardy was the former owner and publisher of the L’Observateur. He published the St. John the Baptist Parish official journal, and was former President of the Louisiana Press Association. He initiated, and was the first President of, the LaPlace Rotary club. He was President of the LaPlace Centennial Committee and King DuMonde IX of the LaPlace Mardi Gras. Tardy was a professional diving instructor and received his pilot license in 1989.

When he moved to California in 2008 he became a member of Resurrection Church in Santa Cruz County and a Member of the Knights of Columbus.

Tardy spent much of his time volunteering for his church on the weekends, cooking for the homeless and teaching Californians about Cajun food. He gave much of his time to assist others throughout his life.

Joseph “Tardy” Lucia Jr. is survived by his brother, Ellis Lucia (Bevil), his sister Patricia Lucia Austin (Michael); his children Laura Lucia Wear (Blaine), Charles Lucia (Laura), Leigh Lucia Hoover (Michael), Dominick Lucia and Sidney Lucia; his grandchildren Joshua, Ryan, Adam, and Noah Hoover, Blaine Wear Jr, Breck Wear Middleton (Jordan); his great grandchildren Zaidyn, Lennyx, Declan, Jackson, Callie Hoover, and Harper Middleton. Tardy is also survived by numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on December 27, 2019 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 6484 LA Highway 44, Convent, Louisiana 70723.

Visitation will begin at 9am. Mass will follow at 11am. Immediately following the services a bereavement will be held at St. Michael’s Church Community Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home, 4080 W. Airline Hwy, Reserve, LA 70084 – Phone: (985) 479-4080.

Joseph “Tardy” Anthony Lucia Jr. (July 3, 1945 – December 12, 2019)

Joseph “Tardy” Lucia Jr. passed from this life on December 12 at Regional Medical Center in San Jose, California. He was surrounded by family at the time of his death.

Tardy is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Anthony Lucia, Sr. and Eula Vedros Lucia; his son, Lt Col Joseph Anthony Lucia III, USMC; and his grandson Zachary Charles Hoover.

Tardy was born in New Orleans. He was a former resident of Lutcher and LaPlace, Louisiana, prior to moving to California in 2008. He attended St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School then studied for the priesthood at St. Mary’s Manor in Pendell, Pennsylvania and later attended Lutcher High School. He graduated from Tulane University’s Executive Master of Business Administration program.

Joseph “Tardy” Lucia Jr. enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a Private in February 1965. After graduating training, he was assigned to the 2^nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as an Infantry Rifleman and was deployed to Vietnam for one year and seven months where he served bravely and honorably. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in June 1967, served with distinction, and was released from active service in January 1968 with full honors. His personal decorations include the Rifle Expert Badge, Pistol Expert Badge, National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star. As his friends and family will attest, the discipline and patriotism he learned in the Marine Corps never left him. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Tardy was the former owner and publisher of the L’Observateur. He published the St. John the Baptist Parish official journal, and was former President of the Louisiana Press Association. He initiated, and was the first President of, the LaPlace Rotary club. He was President of the LaPlace Centennial Committee and King DuMonde IX of the LaPlace Mardi Gras. Tardy was a professional diving instructor and received his pilot license in 1989.

When he moved to California in 2008 he became a member of Resurrection Church in Santa Cruz County and a Member of the Knights of Columbus.

Tardy spent much of his time volunteering for his church on the weekends, cooking for the homeless and teaching Californians about Cajun food. He gave much of his time to assist others throughout his life.

Joseph “Tardy” Lucia Jr. is survived by his brother, Ellis Lucia (Bevil), his sister Patricia Lucia Austin (Michael); his children Laura Lucia Wear (Blaine), Charles Lucia (Laura), Leigh Lucia Hoover (Michael), Dominick Lucia and Sidney Lucia; his grandchildren Joshua, Ryan, Adam, and Noah Hoover, Blaine Wear Jr, Breck Wear Middleton (Jordan); his great grandchildren Zaidyn, Lennyx, Declan, Jackson, Callie Hoover, and Harper Middleton. Tardy is also survived by numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on December 27, 2019 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 6484 LA Highway 44, Convent, Louisiana 70723.

Visitation will begin at 9am. Mass will follow at 11am. Immediately following the services a bereavement will be held at St. Michael’s Church Community Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home, 4080 W. Airline Hwy, Reserve, LA 70084 – Phone: (985) 479-4080.