Gustino "Gus" Luciani

Obituary – Gustino P. Luciani Gustino “Gus” Luciani, a life-long resident of Schenectady, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2017 after a long illness. Son of Angelo and Emma Luciani, and brother of the late Elena Luciani-Testa, Gus was born on July 10th 1930. Gus was a family man; he was a dedicated husband, a compassionate father, and a loving grandfather. Gus was devoted to his country, and he worked for the Federal Government for 30 years; in 1947 he began working at the Army Depot before he joined the Air National Guard in 1949. By 1953, he enlisted in the US ARMY. After completing basic training in Fort Dix, NJ, he was stationed in Frankfort, Germany. During his time in the military, Gus traveled throughout Europe, and he always spoke fondly of the time he spent in Italy, Austria, Holland, and France. He left the military in 1955 as a Corporal. Upon his return to Schenectady, he resumed his career at the Army Depot which he left in 1965. During this time, he met the love of his life, Georgianna Pallante. They were married in 1958. After the Depot, he was employed by the United States Postal Service where he took great pride in his job; during this time, Gus become an expert of the city that he loved as he learned every zip code and street location in Schenectady. He became a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 358 and a member of the local chapter of the Rotterdam Elks. After retirement in 1979, he spent time doing what he loved most: He loved the Harness Track; he loved working in his garden; he loved fishing, painting the house, and writing stories which he would read to his grandchildren; He was a true family man who was always there for those who needed him; he did not miss an event, and he attended all of his children and grandchildren’s sports games, concerts, and recitals. Anyone who knew Gus loved being around him. His smile was infectious. He was a man of integrity, a man whose word, promise, and handshake meant the world to him. Gus is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Georgianna Pallante Luciani; daughters Anita (Mike) Vitallo and Lisa Luciani; son Justin (Toni) Luciani; granddaughters Nicole (Chris) Holoday, Marissa Vitallo, Ciara Vitallo, Monica Luciani, and Grandson Trevor Luciani. He is also survived by several Nieces and Nephews who always loved being around their Uncle Gus. The family would like to thank the medical team that cared for Gus: Dr. John Pezzulo, Dr. Nancy Barkowski, Dr. Peter Cospito, Dr. Thomas Schumacher and the team at Capital District Dialysis Center, and everyone at The Eddy PACE Program. Your compassion, care, and attention is greatly appreciated from the entire Luciani family. We would especially like to thank the Nursing Assistants of the Eddy Program at Schaffer Heights for their wonderful care to Gus on a daily basis and the clear message that this isn’t the end of our relationship, without you he would not have been able to remain home his last three years with his family. Calling hours will be Saturday 9:30 to 11:30 A.M. at Demarco Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Heldeberg Ave, Rotterdam. A Mass will be celebrated 12:00 at St. Luke’s, 1241 State St, Schenectady. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.