Obituary of Luciano Giallombardo

Luciano Giallombardo was born in 1932 to two loving parents Rose and Carmelo Giallombardo. He lived in Brooklyn, NY among an extended family with aunts, uncles and cousins and later a younger sister Ignatia arrived. His two best friends were Mendy and Jack, and together they played stick ball and rode their bikes and teased the young girls. His parents were of modest means, so he got his first job as a teenager in a local delicatessen where he delivered the grocery orders by a bike with a basket; thus hoping for a 10 cent tip. His favorite ice cream was chocolate and this remained so his entire life. As a teenager, he met a young girl and classmate named Ernestine and soon he started visiting her and her family for dinners. Luciano, at that time known as Louie to his friends, went to work in a local printing. After graduating from high school, like many young men of that age, was drafted. He chose the U.S. Air Force Division and completed basic training and was stationed on the military base in Oklahoma for four years during the Korean War. During his stay in the Air Force, he received numerous letters from relatives, friends, and especially from Ernestine. Towards the end of the war, Luciano and Ernestine announced their engagement and waited for the big day. They were married in 1954 with a big reception surrounded by family and friends. The newlyweds lived on the base in Oklahoma for approximately one year before returning to their hometown. Back home, they lived upstairs from Ernestine's parents and while she was a traditional homemaker of the times. Luciano started his first clerk job in banking. His first child and first grandchild soon arrived. Luciano was enamored with the baby and he stayed up nights after work to hold and feed his daughter, this developed into a lifetime bond. Four years later, a son was born to complete the perfect family. Luciano and his father were active committee members of Maria SS. del Soccorso, this was the patron saint of Caltavuturo, Italy and was celebrated the second Sunday in September for his entire life. While Luciano continued to complete his college education at night and work in banking the family enjoyed Sunday dinners together and often visited his relatives on weekends. Around this time his loyal Shepard dog Velvet joined the Giallombardo Family as their pet. During the 1960's Luciano and his family moved to Staten Island and purchased the home he lived in for the rest of his life. In Staten Island, he made numerous close friends and the neighbors remained friends until his death. He had poker games at his house on Friday nights for the guys, was elected. Block Capitan and did most of his own home repairs; he was a "jack of all trades". Luciano favored big cars and he gave them all code names, like Green Hornet - this was his first car, the Silver Bullet, later another called the Black Night, and the White Shadow. The family spent a Summer Vacation in Pennsylvania at Beach Lake where they returned every year for over fifty years. While working at U.S. Trust he developed several close relations and friendships that has lasted over sixty years. His work family even after retirement keeps in touch with phone calls, holiday cards, emails and semi-annual luncheons and dinners. Luciano was known for his good natured concern for others, sensitivity, and friendly work attitude that enabled him to encourage, develop and motivate others while getting work done. Luciano worked in several departments over the years and often worked long hours, as he would never leave if things needed to be finished. Luciano retired in his early sixties,and started to travel with Ernestine. Together they went on a cruise to Alaska, traveled to California and many other states. He had four grandchildren and visited with them as much as possible. Luciano would now watch children's movies and play board games, shop for toys and buy them gifts and clothing. He made himself always available by phone for his children at any time of day or night. He liked watching old movies from the 1930's and 1940's and could name most of the actors. During his retirement years, Luciano became active in the Veterans where he attended meetings and events with his local chapter. He looked forward to these events and was very concerned for the well-being and was totally loyal to his aging and retired members of his group on a daily basis. Luciano was very strong and brave, as he never complained about his medical conditions and continued to enjoy life despite pain in his knees and now developing issues. This attitude and determination to remain with his family and friends continued until his last day. His courage and perseverance was beyond measure! He will be missed by all and now may he rest in peace. We were blessed to have such a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend. We will all miss him at family dinner, watching TV, his phone calls, emails and now he learned to text. Luciano will remain in our hearts, minds and spirit forever!