Tributes for beloved jack of all trades
Doug was known by many residents
THE family of Doug Lucas is in mourning, after the central Queensland man and regular visitor to Toowoomba passed away last month at the age of 94.
Mr Lucas was born in Rockhampton on April 27, 1923, to Presbyterian parents Alf, a house painter, and Bessie.
He and his siblings attended Berserker Street State School and North Rockhampton High School and sang in eisteddfods from a young age.
He also became quite adept at playing the mouth-organ and gum or citrus leaf and with these, provided many hours of entertainment for family and friends over the years.
Mr Lucas worked as an engine fireman in the Queensland railways during the Second World War and because that work was classed as “essential services”. That meant he was unable to join the armed forces with his brothers Ken and Val.
Around this time, he met Rita Margaret Mary Arnold, a Rockhampton girl who worked as a stenographer.
Mr Lucas converted to Catholicism to wed Ms Arnold, with the pair marrying on March 29 1948.
Father Bill Collins, who Mr Lucas had met years before, officiated at their wedding and was instrumental in the family moving to Alpha in 1962.
Mr Lucas held many jobs during his career in Alpha and Mackay, including heavy labouring, cane cutting, insurance sales, real estate, motor vehicle sales and as a general store and butcher shop proprietor.
His son Paul Lucas, who lives in Westbrook, said his father was a regular patron to Toowoomba and had plenty of family and friends living in the region.
A keen golfer, Mr Lucas played the sport for more than 40 years until leg problems forced him to retire.
Mr and Mrs Lucas moved into aged care in 2015. Mrs Lucas passed away a month later.
After enjoying three years at the aged-care home, Mr Lucas fell and broke his hip on February 10, with surgery not possible because of complications.
Paul said his father was fully aware and at peace with his pending death, yet still sang songs and shared stories with loved ones by his bedside until a day before his final breath.
He is survived by 79 descendants.