LUKENS – John P. 96 of South Yarmouth died Tuesday November 29, 2016 at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis.

He was the husband of the late Gwendolyn (Price) Newkirk Lukens and the late Helen E. (Bayard) Lukens, the mother of his four sons.

Born in Cincinnati, OH and raised in Belmont, MA where he was a paper boy, boy scout and peddled fruits and vegetables, Mr. Lukens was the son of the late Alan R. and Mary (Busser) Lukens. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and was honorably discharge with the rank of Private in 1946.

Mr. Lukens graduated from the UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture in 1951 and received his Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of Hartford in 1974.

He worked as an agent for the 4-H Agriculture Extension Service in Massachusetts and Connecticut and then worked as the first Commissioner of the Connecticut Children and Youth Services Department. He was active in YMCA youth groups, and managed little league baseball teams. He served as a judge at 4-H county fairs and chaired Charter Oak Council of the Boy Scouts of America in Connecticut.

Mr. Lukens was a 50 year Mason, and served as Master of the Washington Lodge #70 in 1967, and as Masonic District Deputy in 1972. After retiring to Dennis, Mr. Lukens founded the Masonic Past Masters Association.

He moved to Thirwood Place in South Yarmouth and served as their newspaper boy for the last 10 years. He was also Thirwood’s “Green Thumb”, showing off his gardening prowess.

An ardent gardener, Mr. Lukens loved camping with family, and enjoyed sailing small boats, fishing and crabbing. He was also a very dedicated and generous family man.

Mr. Lukens is survived by three sons, John P. Lukens, Jr. of Windsor, CT, Carl B. Lukens of Ashland, OR and Frederick A. Lukens and his wife, Jody of Rocky Hill, CT; seven grandchildren; and one great grandchild. In addition to his wives and parents, Mr. Lukens was predeceased by a son, David W. Lukens.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday Dec. 2 in Swan Lake Annex Cemetery, Depot St., Dennis Port.

A memorial service and reception will follow at Thirwood Place, 237 North Main St., South Yarmouth.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Masonic Charity Foundation of Connecticut, P.O. Box 70, Wallingford, CT 06492 or to the charity of one’s choice.

On behalf of the brothers of Washington Lodge #70, AF&AM, Windsor, CT, our deepest condolences to the family of Brother John. Respectfully, Jonathan White, WM, 2016