Pittsburgh’s African American community has lost some notable members due to COVID-19 recently. The New Pittsburgh Courier reported in its Dec. 2 edition the death of Mon Valley civil rights advocate Clifton Pitts, and Marlon J. Lucas, a longtime bus driver for the Port Authority of Allegheny County. Pitts was 76 years old; Lucas was 57.
MARLON LUCAS, shown above in various family photos. (Photo collage shared on Facebook by Amalgated Transit Union Local 85)
Local Pastor Milton Raiford told WPXI-TV (Channel 11) that Lucas “was the kind of guy that if somebody came to church that was troubled, and they were broken, and they didn’t have a father, he was like an oak tree. I would say sit next to Marlon because he’ll provide the shade that you need and comfort that you need.”
At least 94 of the 665 COVID-related deaths in Allegheny County as of Dec. 14 were African Americans, according to county Health Department data.