Alfred Charles Lucier MD

Alfred Charles Lucier, the son of Alfred and Berenice Lucier, was born in Schenectady, New York.

Throughout his life, he combined extraordinary professional achievement with warmth, generosity, humor, and a genuine devotion to others.

Alfred's father was an executive at General Electric Corporation in the turbine division. Al graduated from Union College and earned his medical doctor degree from Albany Medical School. He served as a Captain in the United States Army, including post-war service in Korea.

Subsequently, Al completed his residency in Ophthalmology at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia from 1966-1969, followed by a Wills Eye Retina fellowship from 1969-1970. He was one of the original members of the Retina Service and a beloved member of the team. Al went on to start his own private practice with the help of his mentor, Dr. Patrick Kennedy, head of one of the largest and well-known practices at Wills Eye Hospital. Wills Eye Hospital was the first hospital in the United States dedicated exclusively to eye care, featuring a world-renowned residency training program, training over 250 retina fellows. Dr. Lucier was personally involved in training over 100 fellows in the Retina Service which he enjoyed immensely and found very rewarding.

Al held active memberships in numerous professional societies including the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Honors Award Recipient), The American Society of Retina Specialists, and The College of Physicians and Surgeons. In addition, Al was a highly regarded member of The Retina Society, a non-profit medical and scientific organization dedicated to the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of retinal diseases worldwide. He was a Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Jefferson Medical College, and practiced as a Vitreoretinal Surgeon at Wills Eye Retina for 42 years, achieving national recognition prior to his retirement in 2012. His research and findings have been widely published among numerous medical journals. Most importantly, Dr. Lucier's colleagues remember him as exemplifying the Wills Eye motto of "skill with compassion."

Apart from his distinguished professional accomplishments, Al immensely enjoyed a very full and festive life. Alongside his wife Joan they were Patrons of the Arts of The Vatican Museums, chairing the Philadelphia Chapter. Together with Joan, he actively supported many philanthropic endeavors, including The Franklin Institute, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Wills Eye Hospital, Bryn Mawr Hospital, The Opera Company of Philadelphia, and The Drama Guild of Philadelphia. Al enjoyed golf, tennis, and bridge, and was a member of The Union League of Philadelphia, Merion Golf Club, Merion Cricket Club, The Everglades Club, The Beach Club, The Bath and Tennis Club, and The Society of the Four Arts. Al and Joan traveled extensively around the world with their three children, resulting in priceless memories, experiences, exploration, education, and a deep respect for nature.

Al is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joan, with whom he shared a wonderful marriage, remarkable partnership, and deeply rooted commitment to family. As a phenomenal father, he enjoyed a very close relationship with his children and grandchildren. Additionally, Al is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Jacqueline and Peter Hirs, his daughter Adrienne Lucier, his son Fred Lucier, and his grandchildren Victoria and Alexandra Hirs.

Al was characterized by his devotion to his faith, family, friends, and to the medical field serving others. His warm generosity, kind heart, wonderful sense of humor, and positive outlook encapsulated Al's personality. Alfred Lucier will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by family, friends, colleagues, and patients. May he rest in eternal peace and continue to extend his helping hands.

"Carry on dear boy."

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in his honor on Friday November 13th at 10am at The Basilica of Saint Edward

In his memory, donations may be made to:

The Wills Eye Foundation, 84o Walnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19107

or

willseye.org/giving/give-now