Rev. Joseph C. Lukaszewski, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in West Islip, died on April 26, 2000, at St. Thomas the Apostle Rectory in West Hempstead. He was 48 and had been ill for several years. Born in New Jersey, the son of Chester P. and the late Ann Lukaszewski, Father Lukaszewski was raised in Syosset and attended South Grove School and Syosset High School. He studied for the priesthood at Cathedral College in Douglaston and Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington and was ordained for the Diocese of Rockville Centre on March 10, 1979 at Mary Immaculate Church in Bellport where he served as a deacon in 1978 during his priestly formation.

The young priest's first assignment was to St. James Church in Setauket. In 1985, he was assigned to St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Hempstead and 10 years later was named pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

Involved with the disabled for 20 years, he was a member of the Bishop's Committee for Persons with Disabilities and "was the first priest to request catechist training to prepare disabled children for the sacraments," according to Sister Sally Ryan, RSM, coordiator of the diocese's pastoral ministry for persons with disabilities. He participated in TOUCH (Talking Over and Understanding Children's Handicaps), a diocesan program for parents of disabled children. Msgr. James Lisante, a friend of 30 years and pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, remarked that Father Lukaszewski "adored his parish (Our Lady of Grace) and had strong commitment to the pro-life movement, appearing around the country to speak out against the death penalty.

Suvivors include his father, his brother, Chester P. Jr. and two nephews, Chester III and Chadwick Lukaszewski.

Mass was celebrated at St. Thomas the Apostle Church and a Mass of Transferral at Our Lady of Lourdes. A Funeral Mass was held at Our Lady of Lourdes with Bishop James T. McHugh presiding. Burial Holy Rood Cemetery.