Albino Lukez 1942-2011

Tribute to Albino Lukez 1942-2011

On February 15, 2011, the tippler fraternity tragically lost one of the best on the North American continent. Mr. Al Lukez, or as he was known to most, simply Albino, was 68 years old.

Albino and I had a number of things in common, born in the same area of Croatia, Istria peninsula (which at the time of our birth was a disputed territory between Italy and the federation of Yugoslavia). We attended the same grade school, and were somewhat related in a way: his stepfather was my father's first cousin.

We both escaped to the West and its "freedom" within days of one another in the fall of 1965. Together we were in the refugee camp in Italy, but that's when our ways parted. He opted for USA, and I decided to immigrate to Canada.

We lost touch with one another for around 15 years, until one day I received a phone call from someone in Cleveland Ohio. Yes! it was Albino telling me that he saw my name on the FTA fly report. What a coincidence! Who would have ever thought of finding each other through the pigeon hobby. Well, it is not a surprise, actually, since both of us had birds when we were young kids.

Albino was into pigeon flying for about 20 years. In the seventies he was a member of the Cleveland straight roller flying club, and his record of 11+ hours, to the best of my knowledge, still stands.

In the eighties he switched over to tipplers, and in a short time of being into tipplers, he managed some very respectful times between 16-17 hours. He had one fly of 16 hours and 54 minutes, but was disqualified because he flew two young birds with one old bird. That kit also few 17 hours and 21 minutes but was disqualified also. His argument was that the rule allowed him to do so. Obviously he couldn't see the difference between "or" & "and". Unfortunately the rule was "young or old" not "young and old".

Well, after a good ten years in tipplers, he left the sport, and became interested in canaries, which he enjoyed to the last day of his life.

Rest in Peace, till we meet again.

Oskar Zovic
Toronto Canada