Brian Luce, a master plumber and retired industrial arts teacher at Gray-New Gloucester Middle School who inspired students to never give up, died on Tuesday after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 68.

Outside the classroom, Mr. Luce was a dedicated coach for the varsity baseball and girls’ basketball teams at Gray-New Gloucester High School.

He was remembered by loved ones this week as a popular teacher who had a lasting impact on his students.

Mr. Luce taught industrial arts for 26 years, first at the former Pennell Junior High School in Gray. He retired from the middle school.

Katie Lizotte of Pownal said her father was a good teacher who helped students overcome challenges and encouraged them to succeed.

“A lot of kids looked up to him and saw him as a great role model and mentor in their lives,” Lizotte said. “He loved making a difference in the kids’ lives.”

She cried early Wednesday recalling a recent visit he had from a couple of his former students.

“He was proud,” she said, with a tremble in her voice.

In his early years, Mr. Luce coached the varsity baseball and girls’ basketball teams. He considered it a privilege to coach, according to his obituary.

Things changed though when his daughters began playing sports. He left the sidelines to cheer for his girls from the stands. He then became an umpire for boys’ baseball.

“He always coached us from the stands,” his daughter said. “If there were (100 voices) in the crowd, his was the voice we heard. He was always positive”

Lizotte opened up about his roles as a husband and father. He was married to Risa Luce for 49 years. They were high school sweethearts. The couple lived in Windham.

“He was a very dedicated family person. My mom, my sisters and I were his top priority,” Lizotte said. “He was very supportive and very loving. He instilled a lot of good values in all three of us. One of his mottos was that you need to be independent before you can be dependent on anyone.”

Mr. Luce lived by example. As a teacher, he worked part time as a plumber doing odd jobs in the Windham area.

Once retired, he became an independent master plumber. He did jobs for residents across southern Maine for nearly 20 years. His daughter said he was an honest and reputable businessman who had many repeat customers.

“He never had to advertise. The work always came to him,” she said.

Mr. Luce was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in March 2015. His daughter said he kept a positive outlook.

“He never complained. He took it in stride and did the best he could,” she said, crying. “I’ll miss his hugs and his unconditional love and support.”

 

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