Skip to content

Dr. Lou Lukenda passes away (updated)

Dr. Lukenda was a majority owner of the Soo Greyhounds, and well-known philanthropist
SaultCollegeTennisandBoatClubannouncementJune192014KA02
Dr. Lou Lukenda is pictured during the announcement of the Sault College Tennis and Boat Club in this June 19, 2014 file photo. SooToday.com/Kenneth Armstrong

A well-known fixture in the community has passed away.

Dr. Lou Lukenda passed away on Thursday. He was 88.

A long-time fixture in the ownership group of the Ontario Hockey League’s Soo Greyhounds, Lukenda was inducted into the Sault Ste. Marie hockey hall of fame in 2013 and supported local sports for many years.

“It’s no secret when you talk about his reputation and how much impact he’s had on people in different walks of life, not only through sports but his different endeavours, everyone has the same feeling towards him,” said Greyhounds General Manager Kyle Raftis. “He was a super generous guy. He gave me an opportunity to come to the Sault and he’s always been supportive of what we wanted to do. He’s the best owner you could ask for. He loved the Greyhounds. We wanted players to come here and enjoy their time. He was a fan but at the same time but at the same time he really cared about the kids and the people who worked for him.”

Lukenda was a student at Lake Superior State University from 1948-50 before moving to Toronto for dental school at the University of Toronto where he was captain of the basketball team.

Lukenda earned LSSU’s Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1983 and was on the LSSU Foundation’s board of directors from 1987 to 2005.

He received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2007.

LSSU’s board of trustees opened its meeting on Friday with a moment of silence and flags on campus will fly at half-mast.

In 1990, Lukenda retired from his dental practice and became the chairman and CEO of the Michigan-based Tendercare Michigan. Prior to retiring in 2007, Lukenda also served as the president of Tendercare Nursing Homes-Indiana and Tendercare Nursing Homes Ltd.

The Greyhounds released a statement on Friday evening commending Lukenda’s efforts in the arena and around the city. The statement read:

The Soo Greyhounds would like to acknowledge with great sadness the passing of Chairman and majority owner, Dr. Lou Lukenda.

Dr. Lou was a passionate and enthusiastic supporter of the Soo Greyhounds and the City of Sault Ste Marie. His success in business was only surpassed by his legendary support for numerous charitable and civic organizations.

Dr. Lou acquired majority ownership in the Soo Greyhounds to ensure that the team remained in the Soo for generations to come.

The family of Dr. Lou is committed to keeping this dream alive in his honour.

For details on funeral arrangements for Dr. Lou, please click here

To visit a Facebook page set up by his family to share memories of him, please click here


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.