Patrick Hazlett and Marlon J. Lucas had a combined three decades of service with the Port Authority of Allegheny County, and they both leave behind wives and children and a union family grieving its first losses to covid-19.

Hazlett, a 34-year-old bus driver who’d worked for eight years with the Port Authority, died Monday morning after 10 days fighting the virus, according to a statement from the local branch of the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents transit workers.

He is survived by his wife, Darrah, and four children.

Lucas, 57, leaves behind his wife of 33 years, Dana, and their two children.

He worked for the Port Authority for 22 years, most recently out of the East Liberty garage. Port Authority officials said in a statement Monday that Lucas tested positive for the virus Friday and died two days later.

Milton Raiford, a local attorney and pastor, told Tribune-Review news partner WPXI-TV that Lucas was “the rock of my ministry.”

“Marlon was the kind of guy that if somebody came to church that was troubled, and they were broken, and they didn’t have a father, he was like an oak tree,” Raiford told the TV station. “I would say sit next to Marlon because he’ll provide the shade that you need and comfort that you need.”

Hazlett’s family told WXPI they believe he contracted the virus while driving the bus. He worked out of the Collier garage, and a family member told the TV station he’d talked about how some passengers would cough on drivers who told them they needed to wear a mask on the bus.

“On behalf of Port Authority’s board and the entire agency, we extend our deepest sympathies to their families and loved ones,” Katharine Kelleman, chief executive of the Port Authority, said in a statement. “Their commitment to serve customers was truly emblematic of all of our frontline employees.”

Since the pandemic began in March, 186 Port Authority employees have tested positive for the virus, and 127 of those came just in November, officials said. Of all who have tested positive, 92 have been cleared to return to work and 92 remain at home recovering.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)