Albert A. Luciani, 82, formerly of Kenosha, passed away on Saturday, April 1st, 2006, at Deltona Health Care in Deltona, FL. Born on October 18, 1923, in Kenosha, he was the son of the late Anthony and Francis (Cesari) Luciani. He received his education in the schools of Kenosha. He and his wife moved to central Florida in 1980 to make their home. He served in the United States Army from December 20, 1944 to May 17, 1946, during World War II as a #1279th Combat Engineer, #158th Team Regiment. He helped in the liberation of the Philippines and the Occupation of Japan. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Army of Occupation Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. On August 19, 1944, he married the former Beverly M. Anderson in Racine, WI. He was employed for American Motors Corporation as a supervisor of maintenance for 37 ½ years, retiring in August 1980. He was the youngest man at that time to be made foreman and youngest general foreman. A former member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Kenosha and Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Florida, he was liaison between American Motors Corporation and union, a member of the AMC Supervisors Club of which he held all four offices of the organization, a lifetime member of VFW Post #1865 in Kenosha, and local #72 UAW. He was an avid golfer and played on the Maplecrest League. Albert always was willing to help out the neighbors fixing things. He is survived by his wife, Beverly; a son, Michael (Martia) Luciani of Bristol, WI; a daughter, Mary Jo (Thomas) VanPay of Green Bay, WI; a sister, Mary (James) Stevens of Kenosha; and four loving grandchildren, Albert and Michael Luciani, Jennifer and Jon VanPay. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph in 1938 and Ralph in February of 1999, and a son, Lawrence A. Luciani in the Vietnam Conflict on December 29, 1969. Funeral services will be held at the Proko Funeral Home on Friday, April 7th, at 8:30 am. Mass to be celebrated at St. Mary Catholic Church at 9:00 am. Interment to follow in St. George Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Proko Funeral Home.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
Philip Livingston
I know I have met Mr. Albert Luciani. I really knew his son, Larry Luciani. I marched with Larry in the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Queensmen Drum and Bugle Corps 1966-67. As this is a time for family and friends to remember and honor Albert Luciani, please always know there are still those of us who remember and cherish friendship and memories of Albert's son, Larry.Larry was a strapping young muscular "Italian Stallion man who made all the girls swoon. He always attracted attention, so if you stood near him, you could also get some attention. Larry represented the magnificence of a good family upbringing. He was true, loyal, and worked hard at every task and responsibility he undertook. Those friends of us were shocked, but very impressed that Larry would chose the Marines to serve. His father served proudly and Larry followed in proud tradition. Larry looked simply Beautiful in Dress Blues Marine Uniform. Friends of his know that is probably a big part of why he joined the nation's toughest branch.Larry's funeral was extremely sad. Many friends and family were deeply saddened and his parents witnessed the horror of burying a son. Larry Luciani was a proud Wisconsin Vietnam Veteran. He was only the second member of the Queensmen to die in Vietnam at that time.I remember the Marine escort who occupied a small windowed room in the funeral home. I remember yelling at this Marine, "How could someone like Larry, always in top physical condition, die of pneumonia in a topical jungle? When the young Marine couldn't answer, I yelled at him asking the same question again. I left the room, having expressed my rage and anger at an innocent Marine.It was this experience at Larry's funeral with the Luciani family and friends present at such a terribly sad and forlorn memorial to such a beautiful young man, that made a lasting impression on me.As in Larry's family, so in mine, Uncles, sons, brothers, cousins, neighbors, proudly volunteered to serve their country, especially in times of war.I hated the war that killed Larry. In my family, I followed my cousin's lead and joined the Marines to fight in Vietnam. Throught the saving grace of God, I came back to Kenosha alive.My daily prayers ask for forgiveness and humbly ask that, Dear Lord, please remember and bless this loving Luciani family. They and their friends have seen such joys and such deep sorrow. It is because of such brave Luciani men, that we can be together in gatherings and in prayer. Thank you, dear lord, and bless us as we gather again, today.Please holy father, bless us and give us strength, give the Luciani's strength, to get through another sad family death. Dear God, teach us how to remember and honor this family's brave contribution to our nation. Please, most merciful father, bless all of us in the service of your son, Jesus Christ, as we continue to honor your sacrifice. Through Jesus Christ, your son, and from you, dear God, we receive all strenght and all courage.
Thomas H. Hansen
Bev, I'm still in Florida for the winter, and I won't be returning to Kenosha until after the funeral. Please accept my deepest sympathy on your loss. Tom