William (Bill) P. Lukeman
March 8, 1941 to December 18, 2023
Obituary
It is with great sadness that the family of William Patton Lukeman (Bill) share the news of his peaceful passing. Tenderly held by the love of his life, Linda Crawley, Bill slipped the lines and set sail in the early morning of Monday, December 18th, 2023.
Born on Cape Breton Island in 1941, Bill’s love of the sea led him to join the Navy just days after his 17th birthday. His long and accomplished career with the Navy came with many exciting endeavors. He served as Clearance Diver with the Royal Canadian Navy in the capacities of Diver, Diving Supervisor, and Diving Officer. Bill logged in excess of 6,000 hours underwater and served in various capacities in fleet and submarine service. Selected as one of two Canadian participants in the U.S. Navy “Man in the Sea” Program, Bill was involved in an experimental saturation dive to a depth of 825 feet, with an excursion to a depth of 1,025 feet. Qualified as a U.S. Navy Aquanaut, Bill was selected and trained as a team member of the Sealab III experiment, a 600 ft open saturation diving program operating out of an ocean floor habitat.
These experiences eventually led Bill to Newfoundland where he made an immense impact on the diving and marine safety of the province through his work with the Marine Lab at Memorial University. Bill went on to become the President of Hydrospace Marine Services, operating internationally in Canada, the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, South America, East Africa and India. Bill’s final venture in his exceptional career was as the Regional Emergency Operations Officer with the Canadian Coast Guard, which gifted him the opportunity, as part of his services, to appreciate the rugged beauty of Newfoundland.
Bill was predeceased by his parents James and Margaret Lukeman, and brother Jim. Leaving with wonderful memories; loving spouse of 42 years, Linda, brother John (Diane), his five sisters-in-law, and two brothers-in-law, many nieces and nephews and a large circle of close friends. A very special mention of nephew William James Power and great-nephew Ethan Patton Power. The family extends warm gratitude to Ciaran O’Shea for extraordinary friendship and frequent visits to brighten Bill’s day.
The Family will receive visitors on Friday, December 22, 2023, from 2-9 pm at Carnell’s Funeral Home. Funeral Service to take place on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 11am from The Carnell Memorial Chapel. The service will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person. Private inurnment to take place at a later date. Donations in Bill’s memory can be made to the SPCA or a charity of one’s choice.
To view the service for Bill Lukeman on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 11am,
please click the following link:
Schedule
Visitations
2-9 p.m. on December 22, 2023
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
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funeral
11:00am, Saturday December 23rd
The Carnell Memorial Chapel
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
Linda, We were deeply saddened to learn of Bill’s passing, and offer our heartfelt condolences to you.
I haven’t seen Bill in quite a long time, but have never forgotten (and never will) his friendship and encouragement and the start he gave me in my professional career. His mentorship and irrepressible positivity have stayed with me and informed many decisions down through the years.
I will remember our times together with great fondness and a smile on my face. May he Rest in Peace.
Dear Linda, I am so sorry to learn today of Bill’s passing.. He was a very special person and a friend to all he met. . My family thought very highly of him. No doubt they are having a time of it up above and maybe having a game or two of scat though I’m not sure if Bill was part of that game. Take care Linda. God Bless.
It’s been 11 days now since Uncle Bill left us and it’s still unbelievable. I never knew life without Uncle Bill, and I never imagined a time when he wouldn’t be around. He was truly a mainstay in our family. The word “mainstay” is actually a nautical term for the rope that stabilizes the masts on a sailboat, also called “chief support.” I can’t think of a more fitting way to describe Uncle Bill’s presence in our lives, as gentle source of support and stability. Maybe I didn’t see him everyday, but I surely knew he was there… keeping things together. Though this is a tremendous loss for our family, Uncle Bill’s memory will be reflected in all the wonderful stories we will continue to tell about him, his adventurous spirit and life well lived. ♥
Hi Linda – I only heard about Bill’s passing yesterday. My thoughts are with you and your family. He was a very interesting and intriguing man. I have many memories of briefly living with both of you when I first moved to NL in 1999. That was so long ago! Thank you for welcoming me into your lovely home/family while I started my career and found a place of my own to live.
Boss and I go way back. He has always been one of my best friends. He did so much for me and I will always appreciate it, and thought so much of him. But he will always be thought of fondly.
Linda — Very sorry for your loss. I met Bill when I worked with Coast Guard. Always found him to be very nice and always pleasent. May he RIP.
Don Lester
So sorry to hear of Bill ‘s passing condolences to Linda and all the family. Bill was a great friend and co worker to me
I have a very heavy heart today as we prepare to to gather in Uncle Bill’s honour. He was a man of great stature in my family’s life through out the years. I am so very grateful for the time we had with him and all the fond memories he leaves us with. Although he may not be with us physically he will always be with us in our hearts, thoughts and actions. He taught us well to be kind and generous to others. May your flag blow straight Uncle Bill and be our guide until we meet again.
Aunt Linda and family my deepest condolences on uncle Billy’s passing, I will always remember Bill for his kindness and humor. Our devestating loss is heavens blessing. I just know uncle Bill and uncle Richard are busy catching up over a friendly glass of cheer. Thinking of you today Auntie with much love always XoXo
Edie
Over the years Bill was my best friend and I will miss him.
Dan Mcleod
Remembering Uncle Bill with love – for his generosity, all the beautiful memories he made for me and my family, and for being there as a welcoming, solid presence ever since the day I met him. It was never a problem to have a conversation with him as he always had lots of wonderful and interesting information to share. Prayers for my Aunt Linda who is equally selfless, caring and available to everyone who needs her. Love Michelle, Larry, Michael, Laura, and Melissa Priester, our whole family, sends condolences, prayers for comfort & peace and happy memories to cherish. xoxo
The most interesting man I ever meet. A very kind man with a straight structure and a solid handshake.. He always greeted me with a smile and twinkle in his eye. I would grab him and give him hug. He would get as stiff as a board and say ” now don’t be kissing me “. We would laugh and that’s when the fun would begin.. He’ll have no problem fitting into his new home because he was always surrounded by an angel.. That’s just one example on how smart he is.. I love my uncle Bill and I will dearly miss him.. My prayers and thoughts are with you auntie.
Dear Linda and Family
Please accept my most sincere condolences. It was with great sadness that I learned of Bill’s passing. Our Naval Diving community has lost a true champion, leader, and trailblazer. Bill told me of his pride and honour to be one of the two divers selected to represent Canada and the Royal Canadian Navy in SEALAB. His work on the cutting edge of saturation diving. and qualification as an Aquanaut was inspirational to all divers. Bill was my mentor and the reason I chose a career as a Navy Diver. Bill holds a special place in our hearts. As we say in the diving community – 5 bells passed and received. – Diver’s work is done. Bill, you will be forever missed! Linda our thoughts and prayers are with you and family.
My sincere condolences to You and your family Linda. Bill was one of the good guys in this world of ours..
Your old friend Borje
Dear Linda, we in the Ryan family are thinking of you at this very sad time. Bill was one of my Dad’s (Bill Ryan) best friends and they went on countless adventures together on land and on sea. As a child, I thought of Bill as an action hero from a movie. The photo you’ve included is exactly the picture I have in my mind! He’d visit our house and entertain us kids while the adults socialized. He was charming and fun and we loved to see him coming. Sending you our sincere condolences as you mourn the loss of your dear partner in life. Beth, Ken, Karen and Anne
Linda and family, please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Bill. I am so fortunate and grateful to have known Bill and to have worked with and for Hydrospace Marine Services. Bill treated all employees as equals and developed a unique relationship between Employee and Employer. It is, in part, because of Bill and Hydrospace that I have achieved what I have today.. Eternal Rest Grant Onto Him..
I’m sitting here thinking of the times Bill and I spent together, as Navy divers and in the commercial diving industry – remembering a good friend and diving buddy. We had some great times together and I am just sad that we lost touch. Sincere condolences to Linda.
‘See ya on the bottom’, Bill and ‘laissez les bontemps rouler’!
I remember Bill from the early Royal Canadian Navy diving days as we were both Clearance Navy divers in the early 1960’s and at that time we were part of an elite group of men stationed on the Granby in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Great men having amazing times and doing very unique things. Life was awesome. Bill would have been a great Zulu Warrior and I can say that with authority as I was born and raised in Central Arica and to my knowledge was the only person to graduate as a Clearance Diver in Canada and it was an honor. In fact I received my Canadian Citizenship when in the Canadian Navy.
Many great memories , many great times working for and with Bill.
He Had a great laugh and a great sense of humor
He made my life time career much more valuable and taught me to respect the oceans and seas
And Linda I pass my deepest regrets on to you .
May he rest in eternal peace
Many great memories , many great times working for and with Bill.
He Had a great laugh and a great sense of humor
He made my life time career much more valuable and taught me to respect the oceans and seas
And Linda I pass my deepest regrets on to you .
May he rest in eternal peace
Linda we are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. May he RIP.
So many good memories and experiences over the years. I was always happy to see you when I did. Fair winds and calm seas my friend. Give his nibs a big hug from me. You will be missed.
A True Legend. Strength in Depth Indeed. 5 bells passed for the final time….thanks for your service and leadership in the Diving Community!
Our dear Bill Lukeman was a larger-than-life-sized persona for the three Carrigan kids from the late-70s until forever. What a guy. Our beloved “Uncle Bill” was endlessly thoughtful, generous, patient, and always so very kind to us as kids. A man who would talk “to” and not “down to” a youngster. I still keep and cherish the Hydrospace keychain he gave me about 43 years ago. A real hero and iconic figure in my young life and in those of my brothers, the man who was Bill Lukeman will never be forgotten as long as we live.
It was a honour and pleasure to call you my friend !! You brought so much joy to everyone you met . You lived a great life and you impacted so many around you . Until our next meeting . Fly high Bill !!!
Saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. I’ll miss our little chats and his wave when passing the house. Sending my deepest condolences to you Linda and family. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers as you navigate this difficult time.
Your neighbour, Trevor
I am sad to hear that we have lost another great person and “bubble blower”. Bill was a good friend and mentor to me when I came to St. John’s to run the LORA-1 habitat in 1971. We spent a lot of time together and it was always a pleasure to work with him. Also to play – we went to New Orleans one time – enough said! “Bubbles Up” my friend.
It is sad to hear of Bill’s passing. I worked at the MSRL when Bill was there in the dive shop. Bill, with his divers would get the sea creatures that kept the scientific part of the lab going.. A wonderful person to have known. John Walsh.
My deepest condolences to you, Linda. I don’t know if I ever met you,; possibly at a CNDA reunion. I do recall meeting Bill and especially that he came to Halifax for my late husband’s visitation and celebration of life 5 years ago. Alan had been CEO of FDUA.. and Bill told me that it was thanks to Alan that he was sent to Sea Lab. Clearly, Bill used that opportunity for enormous good in his later career bringing his special skills to many others. You must be very proud of him..You will miss him dearly. May you find peace and comfort in your cherished memories of the years together and be upheld in your grief by the love of family and friends. Rest In Peace , Bill..
What a guy!!! A kind, caring and generous man, a larger than life type character. My family and extended family have been connected to him for nearly 50 years. I first met him at the old Pine Bud residence of my grand parents as a kid. Highly respected among us all and good friend of us all till the end., especially my father..RIP Bill.
John and I had the pleasure of meeting you at my daughter, Shayla’s work place. She speaks very highly of you and after having met you and our few conversations, I can see why! A wonderful, interesting and caring man, you will be missed as you have touched so many lives. My condolences to you, Linda and your family! I pray that you all can get through this with remembering the beautiful man you spent your lives with and the wonderful memories that you made! Rest in peace Bill!
RIP Bill. I will have some white wine for you.
So very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing – he was always a welcome visitor at the Ryan household on Circular Rd with my brother Bill Ryan – a true gentleman and a generous , giving man ! Rest in peace – your buddies await the arrival of your sails ! Deepest sympathy to Linda and family ! Joanne Ryan MacKinnon
You have touched the lives of so many people and I with many more will miss you greatly . I regret that I will not be able to see you off and share so many memories with everyone, smooth sailing Bill you certainly deserve it