Obituary for Lucas Camillo Slavik

On June 8, 2019 Lucas Camillo Slavik, loving husband of Michelle Slavik (Queano) and adoring father of Xavier Channing Slavik (9) and Blake Thomas Slavik (7) joined the company of great men, and forming forces, who have gone before their time such as Lucas and Michelle’s fathers: Thomas Slavik and Rodolfo Queano.  Lucas passed peacefully at home.  A resident of Millbrae for seven years, Lucas’ open and smiling spirit will be missed by many.

Born a mountain child in Quincy, California on July 8, 1979 to Thomas and Gail Slavik (Valpreda), Lucas lived an outdoor, sunny childhood, full of adventures, sports, and family.  He grew up climbing the lava rocks on Penman Peak, loving the natural world, and spending many a day with his dear friends and his brother Tony in his beloved mountains.  He graduated from Portola High School in 1997, where he was a scholar-athlete, and a compassionate friend. 

Lucas attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he built a “brotherhood” of friends through surfing and hiking, and met his future wife Michelle, two passions he carried to the end of his life.  He graduated with a degree in History and Public Policy and his career was hallmarked by his love of the outdoors, strong empathy, and kindness.  Lucas counted endangered frogs in the Eastern Sierra and worked at the Gorilla Foundation as a Lead Research Caregiver where Ndume, the male silverback gorilla, was his friend.  He dedicated himself to researching mental wellness, ensuring that funding for these programs would always be made available; this vocation began at the Parkinson’s Institute, was nurtured at the Ernest & Gallo Clinic & Research Center, the UCSF Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute, and continued through his recent work at Blackthorn Therapeutics.  His chosen life allowed him to live his life close to the healing salt water of the Pacific Ocean with his wife and two sons.

Lucas was a strong soulful individual, canny in judgment, quickly able to connect to those around him.  He was, in turn, a good gardener, Blake’s Lego Master Builder, and an accomplished homework and basketball coach to Xavier.  He loved to travel, loved great food, loved doting on his family, and feeding his friends.  He is preceded in death by his father Thomas Slavik, father-in-law Rodolfo Queano and favorite fur-girl Naiya.  He is survived by his Wife Michelle Queano Slavik, and sons Xavier and Blake; Mother Gail Valpreda Slavik, his brother Anthony Slavik and wife Ali (Balick); his Mother-In-Law Joanne Queano; sister-in-law Monica Kotila (Queano), husband Jacob, and their daughter Astrid. Also, by numerous loving cousins, extended family and friends.

We thank you for your guidance, advice, thoughts, light and love during this time and ask that you keep reaching out and sharing your stories. 

With Love, Grace and Honor.