Donald N. Lacy

Donald N. Lacy, 85, of Riverview Park, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, September 26, 2012 succombing to pneumonia in St. Joseph Medical Center, Bern Township, where he had been a patient since Thursday, September 20.

He was the husband of Lillian A. (Zillhardt) Lacy, whom he married March 14, 1953 in Holy Spirit Lutheran Church.

Born July 30, 1927, in West Reading, he was a son of the late George W. and Beatrice (Hafer) Lacy.

A graduate of Reading Senior High School, Lacy also attended special courses in engineering and surveying at the Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute and Pennsylvania State University. He was a graduate of Berks County Soil Conservation District School.

Donald was employed in the Engineering Department of Metropolitan Edison Company for 40 years, retiring in 1989.

He received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Navy, where he served in 1946, during World War II.

Donald was a member of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Reading.

Lacy served as a Muhlenberg Township Commissioner for 14 years where he was in charge of all departments. He was also a Muhlenberg Township Committee Man for four years and a member of the Berks County Republican Executive Board.

He served on the County Recreation and Parks Committe, United Community Service, which compiled the study entitled, "Appraisal and Long Range Plan" for Recreation and Youth Services for the City of Reading and Berk County.

Lacy was past Secretary of Local 803, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and Chairman of their Eyeglass and Blood Bank Committees.

He also served on the Executive Board of the Berks County United Labor Council, and was chairman of its Blood Bank Committee.

Lacy is a past President of Muhlenberg Lions Club, and former chairman of their Eyeglass Committee.

For 30 years, Lacy served on the Board of Director of the Berks County Association for the Blind. He was a member of the Budget Committee of the United Way from 1968-1977.

Lacy was also former President of Blue Cross Consumer Advisory Council and served as a member of the Board of Directors of Blue Cross.

He served as a member of the Advisory Board of the Reading Phillies Baseball Club and was past Chairman of the Temple Halloween Parade.

Lacy served as Co-Chairman of Berks County Project 70 Conservation Ballot Initiative.

He was a member of the Muhlenberg Area Library Board and Ambulance Board.

An avid outdoorsman and conservationist, Lacy was appointed to a 10 year term to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission by Governor Robert Casey in November 1992. He served as Chairman of the Commission's Education and Information Committee and held terms as the Commission's President and Vice President.

Lacy served as President of the Berks County Chapter, Izaak Walter League and was Chairman of their Board of Director for 4 years. In 1963, he received the League's highest award for "Outstanding Service in the Cause of Conservation."

Lacy was a member of the Berks County Federation of Sportsmen's Club for 12 years and served as Secretary, Treasurer and President.

He was past President and Secretary of the Southeast Division of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, and served as Fish Committee Chairman for the State Federation.

Lacy also served as an Associate Director of the Berks County Conservation District and was Director of the District's Don Hartman Conservation Leadership School for high school students.

For 30 years, Lacy was a member of the Leesport Gun Club and served as Membership Secretary, Secretary and Corresponding Secretary.

He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

In 1989, Lacy was honored as the Outstanding Conservationist of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, and was awarded a citation of his achievements by the Pennsylvania State Senate, by unanimous approval of a motion by State Senator Michael O'Pake.

Also in 1989, Pennsylvania Governor, Robert P. Casey, presented Lacy with the "Take Pride in Pennsylvania" award for outstanding contributions to the stewardship of Pensylvania public lands cultural resources.

In 1999, Lacy was named Berks County Outdoors Sportsman of the year.

He was a member of American Legion Charles Steele Post 622.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his three daughters: Karen, wife of Dean Haas of Kutztown; Lori A. Lacy of Muhlenberg Township and Donna, wife of John Goncus of Boyertown.

Other survivors include four grandchildren: Heather, wife of Gregory West; Sarah Haas and Jennifer, Michele and Jonathan Goncus.

There are also four great grandchildren surviving: Joseph Millet, Alexa Millet, Madelynn Wright and Lillian West.

He was predeceased by a brother, George James Lacy who passed away in 1995.

Services will be Monday at 11 a.m. in Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 421 Windsor Street, Reading. Viewings will be held Sunday evening from 6:30-8:00 in Walter R. Christ Funeral Home, Inc., 3300 Kutztown Road, Laureldale and Monday morning one hour prior to the service in the church. Burial will be in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading.

Contributions may be made to: The CAP Program, c/o PA Fish and Boat Commission, 255 W. Brubaker Valley Road, Elm, PA 17521.

For online condolences, visit www.christfuneralhome.com.