This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Philip Lucero, 56, born on May 24, 1956 and passed away on January 24, 2013. We will remember him forever.
Philip R. Lucero, 56, of Aurora IL passed away on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at Rush-Copley Hospital in Aurora due to complications following cancer surgery. He was born on May 24, 1956 in Aurora, IL at Copley Hospital, the son of Ezekiel (Hank) Lucero and Gladys (Williams) Lucero Neville.
Phil was a 1975 Batavia High School graduate. His favorite classes in school were always recess and gym. He grew up as a member of the Bethel Church of the Brethren in Naperville. He had a great laugh that made us all laugh too. His vision was very good, which helped him to shoot pool. He played a lot of 8-ball through the years. He was in a few bands as a vocalist and he played the guitar.
He worked at McKee Door in Aurora for a few years before deciding to become a truck driver. He worked for Dante Gentilini Trucking and Stokes Trucking, among others. Also, in recent years he was self-employed as a local and long-haul truck driver.
In 1984, Phil married Nancy Wollwert and their son Jared was born in 1987. Although Phil and Nancy divorced later on, they remained good friends through the years.
He is survived by his ex-wife, Nancy; their son, Jared Lucero; Jared's fiancée, Tiffany; his grandsons, Anthony and Aiziah; 4 brothers, Michael Lucero of California, Roger Lucero (Janet) of Elmhurst, IL, Joseph Lucero (Darla) of Hoffman Estates, IL, Thomas Lucero, Columbus, Ohio; 1 sister, Maureen Lucero Holmberg (Donald) of Colorado; 1 stepbrother, George Neville (JoAnne) of Batavia, IL; and 1 stepsister, Sue Neville Warfel (Henry) of So. Elgin, IL; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his stepbrother, Gary Neville; father, Ezekiel (Hank) Lucero; stepfather, George Neville; mother, Gladys Neville; grandpa, E.B. Williams of Naperville, IL; and grandma, Alta Williams of Naperville, IL.
I met Phil when i was sixteen years old at his family's home on Ellen lane in Batavia.I later found out my family bought the same house and i raised my two boys there,my oldest son had Phil's old room.Then in 2011 we found each other on Facebook, we talked on the phone so much day and night i felt like i was traveling with him on his many journey's. His job took him to so many different places,he enjoyed his job working for himself getting paid to see the Country it was pretty neat!! but i honestly don't know how he drove so many miles straight through sometimes. He was always up beat, we laughed alot and caught up on each others lives there are so many fun memories along the way. One day he was driving and he decided to go through the pass-through lane at the TollBooth the truck in front of him went through so he did too except the gate went down and he went right through it his van was okay but the gate was not it was in pieces so we were trying to fiqure out what we should do because he wanted to do the right thing thats how he was, so he finally called the highway patrol and they told him that its okay and not to worry about it because it happens about twice a week boy he was relieved!!! we laughed so much about that i can just imagine his face when that gate splintered into pieces!!!! thats just one of the many memories well anyways we finally got to meet each other after all these years and enjoyed our time together i wish i could've met him earlier in life i would've loved to be able to hear his music but i am thankful that i got to know him he brought alot of love and happiness to my life THANK YOU!!! PHIL LUCERO you will be missed by many how great that you left so many wonderful memories i am so grateful to have gotten to know you Love Always!!! Sharon Dooley-Wheeler
I have known Phil since I was a teenager. He lived across the street from me. He not only was my neighbor but he also became a very dear friend to me and my family while I was growing up. He always had a BIG SMILE and was ready to have a good time. In 1979 our family moved out of state and our friendship just kind of faded away. Many years passed us by and our lives went on in different directions. In 1989 I moved back to Illinois and somehow fate brought us back together and we were able to continue our friendship. So many things had changed in our lives, we’d really grown up but our friendship always remained the same. We could look back at our past and just laugh at all the silly, wild and crazy things we did while we were young and life was simple. Phil took pride in being a daddy, and there was nothing more important to him than his son and his family. Phil had a desire to succeed in anything he would set out to do in life, he was determined and when he made his mind up he would fight to make things happen, he had a passion for music, he loved to sing, dance and play his guitar, Phil was an such an amazing person and one of my dearest friends. His memory is my keepsake, with which I’ll never part. God has him in his arms but I will always have him in my heart.
After graduating from high school Phil, I and Steve Beck moved into a house together. We had so many good times...we were young and dumb. We had many parties, many friends over, so much laughter and finding ourselves...as we grew into adults together. I lived with Phil probably 3 years or better...
I remember some fond memories of us playing chess all the time together, we would equal...so it was always a good time.
He once found a baby raccoon in a garbage can at Fayians. We tried to raise it. That damn thing ripped up our house ..HA we had a ball with that lil fella before we released it.
He loved to offroad his Jeep and get stuck in the mud and try to find a way to salvage the situation...he would never get upset or pissed off.
I don't think Phil had a enemy in the world, he loved life, he got along with everybody. Never judgemental and always so upbeat.
In the later years of Life I talked to him about his truck driving. He loved working for himself, the ability to have the freedom of being your own boss.
He was on top of the world.
I think is biggest joy was working with music, he loved to play instruments and sing in his garage bands. He was having a ball. He was living his dream.
I will miss him dearly, He was a true, great friend and I am sadden he wont be around me until I leave this earth.
I love you Phil...see ya later alligator
