Gerald “Jerry” Lucia was a 46-year member of the Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as chief for the past 31 years. Prior to becoming chief, he held all the line office positions of lieutenant, captain, and assistant chief. He was a member of the Pennsylvania State Firemen’s Association, Westmoreland County Firemen’s Association, and Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association. He was a past president of the Westmoreland Fire Chiefs Association and a member of the Southwest Pennsylvania Fire Chiefs Association.

At his time of death, Gerald was the mayor of Mt. Pleasant. He served as mayor for 36 years, having just won another term, which would have made 40 years. In 2016, Gerald was named Pennsylvania Mayor of the Year. He was the emergency management coordinator for 31 years. He was also named Mt. Pleasant Citizen of the Year. He was a volunteer at the local food bank and served on the Excela Frick Foundation board, and previously on the Excela Health board. He was chairman of the annual Firemen’s Fair and co-chairman and co-founder of the award-winning Glass and Ethnic Festival, which is an annual event in Mt. Pleasant. He successfully obtained funding for Veteran’s Park and construction of the gazebo in Mt. Pleasant.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 56 years, Diana; his son, Gerald Joseph Lucia; and his daughter, Nicole Lucia Butts. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Nicholas, Christopher, and Krystal Lucia, and Claire, Caroline, and Morgan Butts; his son-in-law, John Butts; and his sister, Patty Midden; his niece, Pam Rendine, and her family; and his nephew Jeff McGuinness, and his family.