Louis Lucente

Louis “Hank” Lucente, passed away in his hometown of San Jose at the age of 95, following an extended illness. The fourth of six children born to Italian immigrant parents, Hank graduated from San Jose High School in 1941 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. As a radioman/gunner, he took part in multiple dive-bomber missions over Tokyo in 1945, earning the Navy Air Medal and other commendations. After WWII, Hank returned to the Bay Area where he began his occupation in food sales, ultimately working at San Jose’s Eggo Foods for 37 years. A supremely talented golfer, Hank's illustrious amateur career included winning dozens of prestigious titles, including the Santa Clara County Championship in 1972 and the NCGA Senior Championship in 1981. “The Legend,” as he was affectionately nicknamed at the San Jose Country Club (where he was a member since 1957), Hank made a total of 15 holes-in-one and shot his age (or better) an incredible 794 times, beginning in 1990 (age 68) and continuing until this year. Highly respected in the game and beyond, he was inducted into the California Golf Writers Association Hall of Fame in 1999. Hank leaves behind his high-school sweetheart and loving wife of 75 years, Audrey Lucente, daughter and son in-law Debra and James Rapheld, son and daughter in-law Tom and Catherine Lucente, sister and brother in-law Elaine and Chuck Harris, many nieces and nephews, and a legion of loving, dedicated friends. Scheduled services at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary: Public visitation from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, and vigil at 7:00pm, on Tuesday, Nov. 28; Celebration of life at 10:30am on Wednesday, Nov. 29, followed by interment at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, and public reception at the San Jose Country Club.