Sid Lucero

Isidro Barnacha Lucero (Sid Lucero) was born on May 15, 1945 to Mauro Tomines Lucero and Lucia Barnacha Lucero in Naguilian, Isabella Philippines.  He was the oldest of nine talented, musically inclined, and beloved children.  At only 20 years old, he married the love of his life, Esperanza Magno, and together they have three children, Marji, Natalja, and Gilbert Mari (who reported to heaven at the age of five in 1976). Isidro graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy (Theology Emphasis) from San Beda College.  He was a First Lieutenant with the Army branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines where he rose to the elite ranks of the Army Rangers as a Weapons Specialist.  

As a child, he was witty, rambunctious, and mischievous - characteristics he would take with him through adulthood.  He had a defined sense of self and unwavering confidence which only refined as he matured.  He smiled easily.  He laughed heartily at every opportunity for levity.  He always made friends effortlessly and would most likely joke with strangers as though they were his life-long friends.  He was a born leader.  During his college years, he was assigned to train ROTC Drill Teams at University of Santo Tomas and at the University of the East and made them first-time champions.  His character was as bold as his dreams.  Also during college at San Beda, he met Jun Raquiza (who later would become a film-maker in the Philippines), and there, the close friends dreamed of making movies together.

In the early 70's, he immigrated to the United States where he and his wife settled in Burbank, CA.  In Burbank, he worked for Walt Disney Studios as Head of the Scene Dock Department.  His bold dreams of working in the movie business had begun.  He brought his philosophical tenets and military precision to perfect his craft as a Best Boy Grip.  His fellow crew members gifted him with a director's chair with the title, "Gripologist" embroidered on the back.  He had the privilege of working with Stephen Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis, and Ron Howard.  Among his credits include, but are not limited to: Big Business (1988), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Roadhouse (1989), Back to the Future Part II (1989), Back to the Future Part III (1990), Nothing But Trouble (1991), Regarding Henry (1991), Hook (1991), Death Becomes Her (1992), Jurassic Park (1993), The Flintstones (1994), Casper (1995), Apollo 13 (1995), The Relic (1997), Dante's Peak (1997), Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves! (1997), and Breakdown (1997).  In each of these aforementioned films, he was credited as Sid Lucero or Sid B. Lucero.

He was described as fair-minded and respectful as a boss, always leading by example.  He was an expert knots man who could rig anything, so his work would often be observed for later emulation.  In managing professional disputes, he would initially opt for philosophical dialectical techniques.  However, when those routes failed, he was never afraid to use his knowledge of knots and knives (bilateral Balisongs quickly deployed) to silence an ill-mannered character. When he told a 6'4 irritant that he will hang him upside down if he doesn't behave, anyone familiar with Isidro knew he would and could fulfill that promise. Although he was gratified by the creative process of his work, the stress and challenges of racial inequities within the movie industry exhausted him. He retired before the age of 60 with full pension and benefits from the Motion Picture Health and Welfare Fund.

In his spare time, he enjoyed watching war movies and westerns on television and would break out singing the "Ballad of the Green Beret" almost on a daily basis.  The only time he cried was during war movies; and every Audie Murphy war movie made him cry.  His favorite sport was basketball.  He rooted for the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks.  He reveled in the Lakers' impressive run during the Magic Johnson era of 80's and again in the 2000's with Shaq and Kobe.  Of course the Knicks always broke his heart.  He never forgave Patrick Ewing.  He loved Elvis Presley and would sing Elvis songs (complete with Elvis dance moves) at family gatherings.  He loved country music - George Strait, George Jones, Marty Robbins, Patsy Cline, etc.  Even when he sported a full head of hair, he always wore hats - cowboy hats, baseball caps, Kangol berets.  He took great pride in his appearance and an outfit without a hat he considered unfinished or lacking.

Ever musical, he played most instruments by ear and without ever receiving formal instruction.  He played the guitar, ukulele, and harmonica with great skill and ease.  He took up the snare drum at age 79 and quickly mastered flams, cracks and pops.  He could have joined a Senior Drumline Band.  If he wasn't singing and playing a musical instrument, he was whistling a melodic tune.  He comes from a family of virtuoso whistlers, skillful in projecting tonal purity, vibrato, amplitude, and pitch control. 

His final years were marred by serious health concerns.  His body weary from frequent hospitalizations during the last three years of his life, Isidro passed away on a peaceful Sunday afternoon on May 25, 2025 from complications related to kidney failure due to diabetes.  He is survived by his loving wife of almost 60 years, Esperanza Lucero;  his daughters Marji Lucero and Natalja Lucero, Esq.;  his siblings,  brothers Amando Lucero (Alita) and Humberto Lucero (Mylene);  sisters Imelda Dumlao (Gilflor), Esperanza Francisco (Rustico), and Dr. Nicetas Lucero; brother-in-law Carlo Magno (Fidela) and sister-in-law Marilou Savella (Jaime); and numerous beautiful and talented nieces and nephews in the Philippines and in the United States.  There will always be an emptiness to every gathering because of his absence.

Moments before his passing, Isidro showed the sweetest smile and shed a tear.  Welcoming him to heaven are his son, Gilbert Mari Lucero; his granddaughters Lilja Lucia Lucero and Sophia Bliss Lucero; parents Mauro Lucero and Lucia Lucero; siblings Elvira Lucero, Felicitas Lucero Diaz, and Edwin Lucero;  best friend and uncle, Marcelino Lucero; and best friends Jun Raquiza, Marty Doubkowsky, and Rhett Wooden.