We knew little that morning,

God was going to call your name.

In life we loved you dearly,

In death we do the same.


After a short and very unexpected battle with cancer, it is with heavy hearts that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved father, Luciano.

Our father was a proud Italian man from the small, beautiful town of Malito. The mountain air, the stone streets, the early mornings at the local bar with his cappuccino and cigarette in hand, Italy never left him. It lived in his accent, in his cooking, in his work ethic, and in the way he loved.

He showed love through his cooking — pasta and broccoli, homemade lasagna layered with eggs and mini meatballs, stuffed zucchini flowers, carbonara. Anyone who tasted his food tasted his love. He was a man of few words, but his love language was in every meal he made.

He was the kind of father who just said yes.

He was stubborn. Strong-willed. Set in his ways. A true Italian man. But his love ran deep.

He was a provider in every sense of the word. If something was broken, he fixed it. If something was needed, he found a way.

We will carry you with us — in our gardens, in our kitchens, in our stubbornness, in our laughter, and in the way we love.

We were lucky. So very lucky.


We love you infinitely.

We miss you unimaginably.


Until we meet again Pa.