John Manley Luce

John Luce – known as Friday to his friends and Captain and Papa to his family, passed away on Thursday January 4, 2024, at the age of 86. Friday is survived by his 4 children; Courtney Luce, Shand Luce, Roscoe Luce, and Hadley McKinley as well as his adoring 7 grandchildren; John Luce, Gabriella Luce, Kelsey Luce, Scout McKinley, Dorri Luce, Tully McKinley, Roscoe Luce; also survived by his brother Gregory Luce. Friday will live on in the memories and stories his family holds in their hearts.
Friday served his country as a United States Marine, stationed at Camp Pendleton. After serving, he worked on sailboats and sailed to Cuba during Batista’s overthrow. Friday then began his career in the Hospitality industry.
Friday was married to his loving wife Jacqueline for 57 years. Friday and Jacqueline had many adventures together throughout his career taking them to many states and many countries including multiple years in Moscow, Russia. Spain was his favorite place to visit, and knowing Friday, perhaps the topless beaches left an impression on him.
When he retired, Friday and Jacquie settled at their cottage High Tide in the Middle Keys. Friday immediately earned his Captains license, thus the nickname. High Tide was their sanctuary where he enjoyed sharing the magic of the Keys with friends and family. His favorite spot was on his porch looking at the Gulf of Mexico and watching his family come in from a day of fishing.
Friday was an avid sportsman, and very interested in sport physiology. Friday completed the Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota in 1983 after putting over 10,000 miles into training. Jacquie and John could often be found running or biking along the shore of Lake Superior. In retirement, he loved staying strong, would lift weights at the gym, and was proud of his strong physique.
Friday had a gift for languages, and was fluent in Spanish, Latin, Russian, and Papiamento. He was an enthusiastic reader and had a span of favorite authors from Hemingway to Tolstoy and Michener with his favorite book being the Holy Bible.
A sweet tooth was always part of Friday’s routine. He loved all desserts, chocolate, candies and especially Ice Cream.
Music was another love for Friday; he listened to Janis Joplin, The Beatles, Willie Nelson, and Jerry Jeff Walker. When he passed, he was listening to his favorite song “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. That is how Friday lived his life -- his way.