Dr. Pedro A. Lucina

January 18, 1931–July 8, 2026

Dr. Pedro A. Lucina passed away peacefully at home in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 8. He was 95.

Born January 18, 1931, Dr. Lucina overcame his humble beginnings in the Philippines to enjoy a long and distinguished career as a surgeon in and around Chicago. A graduate of the University of Santo Tomas School of Medicine in Manila, he arrived in the United States in 1959 as an intern at Chicago’s Mercy Hospital. A year later, he became a resident in general surgery at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, Illinois, where he would practice for more than three decades, as well as at Saint Anthony, Roseland, and Englewood hospitals. He concluded his career at Neillsville Memorial Hospital in Wisconsin, from which he retired in 2004 at age 74.

Dr. Lucina played a crucial role in raising the profile of Filipino American medical professionals in Chicago and beyond. In the early 1970s, he was a founding member of both the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America and the Association of Philippine Physicians in America. He served as president and board member of the Philippine Medical Association of Chicago, which honored him as Physician of the Year. As president of the Chicago-Philippine Lions Club, he oversaw a mobile health initiative for underprivileged communities.

In 1960, Dr. Lucina married Prespedina Tolentino, who had worked as a nurse at Mercy Hospital. They eventually settled in Beverly on Chicago’s Southside and raised six children.

Dr. Lucina was a man of rare patience, dignity, generosity, and kindness. He had a gentle grace that touched everyone he knew. He was funny, humble, and quiet, yet his words had meaning, and he took his role as family patriarch seriously. He remained fiercely proud of his profession. After relocating to Las Vegas, he was able to indulge his passion for poker.

He is survived by his wife and six children: Paulette (James) Flanagan, Patricia (Thomas) Scanlon, Peter (Susan) Lucina, Philip (Misty) Lucina, Perry (John Birdsall) Lucina, and Percy (Pamela) Lucina. Also 12 grandchildren: Peter (Jacqueline Wittich) and Michael (Cian) Flanagan; Lucienne and Rosemarie Scanlon; Lauren, Gretchen, and Jennifer Lucina; Sophia, Bella, and Josephina Lucina; Zachary and Matthew Lucina; and a great-grandson, Hugh Sparrow Flanagan. He was predeceased by his granddaughter Jillian Flanagan. Survivors include niece Victoria Aragon and nephews Alfredo and Anacleto Lucina.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, July 11, at Palm Cheyenne Mortuary, 7400 W. Cheyenne Ave., Las Vegas, NV, with a visitation at 9 a.m. and a mass at 10 a.m.