The Oswestry community remembers John Lucks, beloved landlord of The Bear Hotel, who passed away at 87, leaving a lasting legacy.
Oswestry: John Lucks, fondly known as John ‘The Bear’, was a beloved figure in town. He ran The Bear Hotel on Salop Road for over two decades.
From 1979 to 2002, he and his family made the pub a local favorite. His wife Lee, son Robert, and daughter-in-law Melissa were by his side.
Sadly, John passed away recently at the age of 87. His family shared that he was the kind of landlord who truly cared about his customers.
They said he made The Bear a popular spot for food and drinks. John had a passion for malt whisky, boasting an impressive collection of over 140 single malts.
He loved sharing his whisky knowledge with anyone interested, whether they were young or old. After retiring, he enjoyed model boat building and traveling, especially to distilleries in Scotland.
John was also known as Pops to his three sons and grandchildren. He filled their lives with joy and laughter.
The Bear Hotel eventually became the Smithfield Hotel before closing its doors in 2015. His family plans to celebrate his life at the Black Lion on January 31, inviting friends to join them for a final toast in his memory.
