Donald Lucki Obituary

Our family first met Don Lucki in Chicago at the IPA Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2002. Our late dad, Eddie Zavaski from Connecticut was inducted the same day as Don. What a nice man and gentleman was Mr. Lucki. And, we learned just what a talent he was! May God Bless Don's family and cherish the wonderful times & memories you all shared throughout Don's lifetime. Let thes Holidays be a time to celebrate Don's life!

Deepest sympathy for your loss,knew Don way back from the good ol days in Bucktown, Division st. when he started his debut as a free lance Trumpeter, LUCKY STOP INN.WE'LL MISS YOU.

Hearing of Don's death over the radio was shocking and saddening. I worked with Don from 1981-84 at Satellite Music Network in the southwest suburb of Mokena. When Don turned 50 I remember having cake with him while he was on the air.



What a great friend he was to work with!!!



The last time I saw Don was when he played at my sister's 25th wedding anniversary party in 1998.

Don, I enjoyed listening to you on the radio when you were with SMN. I was lucky enough to hear you play once - wow, you brought down the house! May you rest easy and enjoy your heavenly gig! We were all better for having known you.

I feel very fortunate to have finally met Don this past summer while being inducted into the Polka Hall of Fame. When it comes to trumpet playing, Don was one of my true idols. A master technician with a great amount of soul. An innovator and table setter for all polka trumpet students to emulate. An improvisor like no other. He was the standard for honky, for push, for eastern style...you name it. And his jazz stylings only served to complete the "entire package". Don, you will be greatly missed, but your example for others to follow will always endure. Take the lead, Don, and may you rest in peace.

Don- I just wanted to say thanks for

the inspiration & enjoyment I received from those great years with the NATURALS & POLKA ALL STARS

Sincerely, Stan Adamczyk

Please accept our deepest sympathy to all who loved and appreciated the talent of a great musician, Don Lucki. He was a friend and a fellow musician. He will be missed.

We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to all who loved and appreciated the talent of a great musician, Don Lucki. He was a friend and fellow musician. He will be missed.

Don was my teacher at Columbia Colege and helped me get a job at WXFM. I am in tears as I read about his passing. He was a great man and was always kind and helpful to me. I learned a lot about Jazz and Radio from Don. May his soul be blessed and his family comforted at this time.

My family and I had the pleasure & honor of meeting Don Lucki in August of 2000 @the Polka Hall of Fame induction in Chicago. Our late father "Eddie Zavaski, Sr." was inducted along with Don and Wally Maduzia in August of that year. Don was fun loving, spirited, and entertaining with his stories about Polka music. On behalf of all the Zavaski family we extend our sincere sympathy to the family of Mr. Don Lucki. He was a true "Polka hero."

Vicky, I worked with you at Lou Malnatis years ago. I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Sincerely, Marie Koziarski

My deepest sympathy to the entire

Lucki family!

He really did set many musical

standards for all of the musicians

that followed him!

One of the many outstanding performances that I

was "LUCKI" enough to play with him was a simple gig

at Mary&Murphs Polka Den!

He and Paul Stanczyk figuratively

blew the house down!

He will be missed,but he will also

be emulated for many years to come!

DoBraNoc' Pan Lucki

I had the pleasure of knowing Don a few years and sitting in with him a number of times. I especially enjoyed his vocals on Moja Mila and The Soldier Boy Medley. He will be missed.

I also was very fortunate to have played many gigs with Don for about 2 years, some of the best times I had. He will missed by all, and I will miss is trumpet playing and giving me pointers on gigs. Don you may be gone but you will not be forgotten.

I was very fortunate to have had the chance to work with Don on several gigs. He was always a gentleman, and a Great Musician!He truly paved the way for many of the younger musicians, and had a style his very own! His sound was so easily detected.. So precise, and articulated like no one else can. I will cherish my Siwierski, Lil' Richard, The Naturals, and many other of the fine recordings that Don has played on in his long career. He will be MISSED. My deepest condolences to the entire family

From a fan of Mr. Lucki please accept my deepest sorrow. Although I did not know him personally I feel as if i've known him since I first started listening to his famous trumpet stylings. He will be missed but he'll be in our hearts always. God bless his family in their time of need.

Don will always be remembered as a great musician . I only met him twice. But the memory of those

meetings will live in my mind

forevere. As will the great recordings he left us with. I'll

continue to play his music on my weekly radio show. And keep his memory alive. Li'L John-WQTW RADIO

Latrobe Pa.

To the family of Don:

Sorry to hear about your loss. Don was a good man with a great personality. He really made the Naturals and other bands he performed with. He WILL be missed.

My heart felt sorrow to Don's Family, it was an Honor for me to know him, he will be missed in so many ways. May God comfort you during this hard time.

To the family of Don Lucki,



We remember Don as the big brother about whom Rich would brag, and we enjoyed his music talents in the Naturals a lot. Please accept our deepest sympathy on the loss of your loved one.

Don, you were the best. I will miss you and your trumpet playing and singing. Your voice was magnificent.

Don Lucki was an incredible talent,

a jazz trumpet player who added tremendous spice to his polka playing but never failed to remember that he was ajazz musician first and a polka player second, although he didn't want his audience to think that way. Also a tremendous broadcaster and kneew more about music than many program directors. An incredible friend to many, many people, always upbeat, of course. Any of the Columbia crowd still out there, let's get together and talk, [email protected].

Patrick Muldowney, Manhattan

Vicki and family,

We are very shocked and sadened to hear of Don's passing. We think of him often as a talented musician and music teacher. Our love and prayers go out to you.

To the family of Don Lucki - Very sorry to hear about Don. Frank Berendt (musician) told me about Don 2 weeks ago that he was very ill. I never heard anything prior to this time. Don was a classmate of mine at Lindblom H.S.I saw Don a few times at some dances when he played in the band. A very good trumpet player and I was surprised he played in the polka band. He will be missed but his spirit will always be with us.

Don You were my idol when I was growing up. I made it because of you. Sincerely Don Ptak

To the very best horn player,ever, you will be missed by us all...tell Gabriel to move over...there's a new kid in town.

another ex-Natural,

Jim

So long to a fellow horn blower. We've played a lot of sharps and flats together during an area that brought a lot of fun and satisfaction to us and hopefully to all those polka lovers.

DearVicki and children;

Even though its been years since we've seen you we wish we could be with you in your time of need. Vicki, I first met you and Don in the late 50's and Judy and I remember your wedding reception and the first time we met Donald Jr. as a baby and your lovely daughter. We are heartfelt at this time and wish you and your children nothing but the best in the future. We love you all.



Sid and Judy

So long Don. Make some music with that band up in the sky!

Sorry I can not be with in your time of sorrow. I just came back from hospital on Friday & am still weak.So Long to a Polka All Star from Another Polka All Star. We spent many great years of music together. Chester Filipiak