Obituary of Robert Frank Lugo

Robert Frank Lugo (Bob)(Corky), was an only child, born May 7, 1939 in Erie, PA to Frank and Ruth Lugo. Bob’s theme song for his life was “I did it my way” and he was a one of a kind maverick. 

He grew up in Erie where he attended Catholic schools and graduated from Erie Prep School. He was a gifted athlete, a star running back on the all city football team, body builder, and enjoyed working as a lifeguard at Miami Beach for a summer after high school.

He attended Pennsylvania State University and graduated with a degree in science and mathematics.  While at Penn State he married the love of his life, Patricia (Pat) Sharkey.  Pat was the sister of Carol Bongiovi, mother of music icon Jon Bonjovi.  Bob frequently shared his claim to fame with people he met, as the uncle to Jon.

Following college he was transferred to Minnesota by Elgin Electronics, and made a home in Brooklyn Center, MN for three years. While there, he fell in love with the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, where he, Pat, and children had many adventures. During this time he found sobriety and recently celebrated 56 years without alcohol. He was an old timer in Alcoholics Anonymous where he sponsored dozens of people in recovery and his best friends were members.

He returned to Pennsylvania after sobriety and the family moved into a dilapidated farmhouse in Albion, PA. They tore apart and rebuilt the house, living in a tent in the yard for six months during the process. During this time, Bob taught math at Saint Lukes school in Erie and struggled to support a family on a parochial school salary. His future changed when his father bought two tickets to the NY state lottery. He gave Bob the $50,000 winning ticket that enabled them to finish the farmhouse, put a new roof on the parish church, and move back to Minnesota where he bought an 80 acre farm north of Milaca. 

He applied for, and was hired to teach trade mathematics at Anoka Technical College where he taught for 13 years. He maintained a large kennel of sled dogs for more than 50 years, racing in short and long distance races throughout the lower 48 states. He started his racing career in sprint races, and transitioned to mid-long distance racing. He raced in the first eight John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon races along the North Shore,  placing as high as 5th. He won the Mid-Minnesota 150, placed second in the Pennsylvania mid-distance, and third in Michigan UP 200, accomplishing a triple crown. He raced in the mountains of Montana in the 500 mile Governor’s Cup. He gave sled dog rides on his trails, made a how-to video about running sled dogs with Pat, trained future mushers, and took guests by sled dog into the boundary waters. You knew it was Bob when you saw the pick up truck with the bright yellow dog box.

He was in an accident while training for a marathon in 1981 that put him in traction at St. Mary’s hospital for more than 70 days. This life changing experience prompted him to stop teaching and move to the Grand Portage wilderness. His careers following the accident included fire fighting in the western states, long line fishing in Alaska, dealing blackjack at Grand Casino Mille Lacs, and teaching math as a tutor and head of math at Nayahshing school. 

Following the passing of his wife Pat in 2015, he sold their home and built a rustic cabin in the woods near Crosby. He was active in AA in the Brainerd Lakes Area, and by zoom during covid. His sled dog passion continued and as recent as 2022 gave rides at Breezy Point Resort.

Bob is survived by his children Lisa Paxton (Steve), Kurt (Jennifer), John (Denise), and Matthew (Denise). Grandchildren Melissa Paxton, Tory, Zach (Katie), Mitch (fiancé Kaitlyn), Alexis, Sophia, and Madilyn Lugo, great grandchildren Aidan and Cameron Paxton, and Brady and Autumn Lugo. Plus AA friends across the U.S., and a special thanks to his great friend Mike Erkel. 

He wishes to have his ashes spread in the California redwoods near his beloved wife. Please send any gifts to the Milaca Elim Meadows care facility, where he was very well cared for the past seven months.