Joseph Luciani (1948-2024)

Joseph A Luciani, 75, of Hershey, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2024 at Masonic Village of Elizabethtown.  Born July 31, 1948 in the old Hershey Hospital, he was a son to the late Yola (Guardiani) Luciani and Albert Luciani.   He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 46 years, Carol (Elliott) Luciani.   

He was a graduate of Hershey High School (1966), and Penn State University (1972).  At Penn State he had focused on History and English, in hopes of becoming a teacher. While there he enjoyed acting in many plays as preparation for working in front of crowds.   He got married and started a family, which turned his trajectory to work in the insurance industry and also a bartender at the Hershey Italian Lodge, before creating a life working at Hershey Foods, where he was also a union representative.   While he did not become a full-time teacher, he did use his educational skills to teach CCD for a time.  

A voracious reader, and fan of facts, he enjoyed any chance to share education with his kids or anyone who would listen.  His favorite thing was to spend time with his family. A product of his generation, he was a baseball fan (Yankees) and for a time enjoyed attending Senators games with his kids and bonus kid.   He enjoyed attending shows with his beloved wife, dinners with friends and family, and used to be a wonderful mini golf player.    He could recite the entire Jesus Christ Superstar movie and soundtrack, as well as most of the series M.A.S.H.   He was also a fan of obscure and odd movies, trivia and crossword puzzles.   He made fantastic pizza’s and “daddy burgers”.  He also enjoyed a fantasy football league with his son, where they are the current champions.  Also, a fan of cards, he enjoyed playing pinochle and poker with his friends at Masonic Village, as well as being a member of the chess club.

He was always happy to be around people and was often referred to as such a nice guy, and fun to talk to.  While living at Masonic he had gained a reputation as both the ‘candy man’ (for having a candy dish outside his door for all to enjoy) and ‘the walker’ for walking daily outside the building.  Despite having suffered many medical ailments, he rolled with each one, with a quiet calm not found in many. A member of St. Joan of Arc, he held his faith close to his heart and looked to it in the darkest of times.  He was also a 4th degree knight in the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his son, James Luciani (Harrisburg), daughter Alicia Luciani (Hershey) and her boyfriend, Ken Evans(bonus kid),  sister, Gloria Herberg (Lebanon), sister Patricia Luciani (Sister Mary Albert of New York), brother, Dennis Luciani (Lebanon), many nieces, nephews, friends and extended family.

A funeral mass will take place on Saturday May 18th, 2024at St. Joan of Arc in Hershey at 2:00 PM.  A private interment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to your favorite charity.