Anthony J. Lukaszewski (also known as “Luke” Lukaszewski) was born in Poznan, Poland, June 2, 1882 to Joseph and Mary (Kaczmarek) Lukaszewski. The family came to Manistee, Michigan, in 1892, and moved to Milwaukee one year later. Anthony attended St. Josaphat parochial school, Marquette Academy, and Marquette College, from which he received a B.A. in 1904. Subsequently Lukaszewski worked for the short-lived Dziennik Milwaucki, the Prudential Insurance Company, and in 1912 or 1913, joined the Nowiny Polskie as head of the advertising department. Lukaszewski later became the newspaper's business manager, managing editor, and general manager. He left the Nowiny Polskie in 1931 and joined the Milwaukee Journal editorial staff; he also took over the Sunday Polish Hour broadcast over WTMJ. Lukaszewski moved to Chicago at some time during the late 1930s or 1940s, where he continued his journalistic career with the Polish Daily Zgoda and other papers.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Lukaszewski was a co-founder in 1920 (with John Landowski) of the Milwaukee Polish Opera Club. The Opera Club was most famous for its production of the Polish national opera, Halka, in 1923. Lukaszewski portrayed Jontek Halka's peasant-sweetheart, in the 1923 production, and also in the subsequent 1925 film version. In addition, he was a regular member of the Opera Club company and appeared in most productions. Following his move to Chicago, Lukaszewski continued to perform in light operas.
Anthony Lukaszewski was also active in church and civic organizations, including the Holy Name Society and the Polish National Alliance. He lived in Chicago prior to his death in about 1956 at the age of 74. Among his survivors were his widow, four daughters, Rose Kedziora, Lucy Fabos, Helen Barnett, and Martha Floener; and five sons, Anthony Jr., Bernard, Leon, Thomas, and Rev. Boleslaw T. Lukaszewski.
