Senate Resolution No. 325

BY: Senator COMRIE

CONGRATULATING Charles S. Lucas upon the occasion
of celebrating his 100th Birthday

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their
past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and
valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate
and recognize certain milestones celebrated by citizens of this great
Empire State; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate
Charles S. Lucas upon the occasion of his 100th Birthday to be
celebrated on Sunday, February 14, 2021, at the Alpha Phi Alpha Senior
Center; and

WHEREAS, Charles Sylvester Lucas was born on February 14, 1921, in
Holly Springs, North Carolina; after graduating from Washington High
School in Raleigh, North Carolina, he attended Shaw University where he
managed the Campus Inn in order to pay for his tuition; and

WHEREAS, After earning his bachelor's degree in history with a minor
in sociology, Charles S. Lucas was hired as a history professor at
Barber Scotia Junior College in Concord, North Carolina; after a year,
he joined his parents in Braddock, Pennsylvania, where he worked in the
steel mill for part of the summer before leaving for Cleveland, Ohio,
where he worked as a Field Work Secretary at the Cedar Branch YMCA; and

WHEREAS, In 1943, Charles S. Lucas became a member of Alpha Phi
Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Alpha Lambda Chapter, and through this
organization, he volunteered his time and energy to making his community
a better place to live, work and play; and

WHEREAS, Four years later, Charles S. Lucas moved to Connecticut
where he worked at Columbia Records; in 1954, he married the former
Virginia Martin and together, they had two children, Melvelyn and
Regina; and

WHEREAS, Charles S. Lucas and his family moved to Brooklyn, New
York, where he began his career in social work as an investigator, and
later, a supervisor; after the untimely death of Virginia, he raised his
children alone, until he met and married Elsa Sealy in 1961; the couple
relocated to Queens, New York, and had one daughter, Donna; and

WHEREAS, Charles S. Lucas continued his successful career path when
he became a program coordinator for the City of New York, and then
director from 1981-1994, when he officially retired; and

WHEREAS, Charles S. Lucas joined Zeta Zeta Lambda chapter in 1966,
and quickly became an active member, eventually serving as Treasurer,
Vice President and Chaplain; for 15 years, he held the title of Chair of

the Board of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Senior Center, and to
this day, remains an important part of the organization; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his work with Zeta Zeta Lambda, Charles S.
Lucas served two terms on the school board and was President of the
South Ozone Park Coalition of Block Associations in 1995; and

WHEREAS, Charles S. Lucas and his family were devoted members of
Grace Episcopal Church where he held the leadership positions of Junior
and later Senior Warden, and was considered to be a trusted advisor to
several ministers; and

WHEREAS, Above all, Charles S. Lucas loved his family and always
made sure to be home in time for dinner and quality time; he enjoyed
making cartoons, homemade toys and kites, and writing songs, stories and
poetry for his children, and later, his grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, In an effort to remain close to his grown children, Charles
L. Lucas initiated "Grandparents Matter" as a safe place where they
could talk about the many facets of life; with its success, he created a
website to help other grandparents better their relationships with their
grandchildren; most recently, this caring family man is in the process
of creating a virtual/recorded reading schedule for his
great-granddaughter, Aria; and

WHEREAS, Charles S. Lucas, with his zest for life, has inspired and
enhanced the lives of his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian has experienced the incredible
joys and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the
stamina and courage to savor a full life; and

WHEREAS, Charles S. Lucas has enriched the lives of those around him
through his joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent
charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have
witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and
awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while
themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Charles S. Lucas upon the occasion of celebrating his 100th
Birthday; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Charles S. Lucas.