October 28, 2009

Deacon Ed Lujan dies at 87

By Denver Catholic Register

Retired Deacon Edward Lujan of Denver died Oct. 19.  He was 87.

A native of south-central Colorado, Edward Lujan was born on Aug. 29, 1922, in the town of Portland, which is located in Fremont County.  He was in the Army Signal Corps during World War II. Upon his return from military service, he married his hometown sweetheart, Aurelia (Rae), on April 18, 1947, at St. Benedict Parish in Florence, Colo.  He worked as a freight rate auditor for Navajo Freight Lines.

Ordained a deacon at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver on April 2, 1977, Deacon Lujan was assigned to Presentation of Our Lady Parish in Denver and served there until 1993 when he began a new assignment at Sacred Heart Parish in Denver.  He returned to Presentation in 1996 and officially retired from active ministry the following year. However, he continued to serve the people of Presentation throughout his retirement.  Deacon Lujan also helped with the elderly and sick at the Gardens of St. Elizabeth retirement home.

Friends and family remembered Deacon Lujan as a good man with a generous and warm heart whose love and commitment to family and Church were great.  He was remembered as always wearing a smile on his face—a sign of the gentle, joyful spirit within.  His favorite pastime was bowling.

Deacon Lujan was preceded in death by his wife, who died in 1996. He is survived by eight of his 10 children, 25 grandchildren and 55 great-grandchildren.  A vigil service was held Oct. 22 at Presentation of Our Lady.  Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., was the main celebrant of a funeral Mass held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Oct. 23. Interment at Littleton Cemetery followed the Mass.