Joanne Luciano
Age - 64
November 28, 2023
Saratoga Springs - Joanne Marie (Gray) Luciano passed away at the age of 64 on Sunday, November 26th surrounded by her loving family. She was the daughter of the late Leonard and Lois (Jukes) Gray. She graduated from Columbia High School in East Greenbush, NY in 1977 and attended both Hudson Valley Community College and The College of Saint Rose. While in college, she worked for Denby's Department Store and Casual Corner. She modeled professionally for the Barbara Thomas Modeling Agency during the 1980's up until her fifth month of pregnancy for her first child. She was employed at Albany International beginning in 1980 as the receptionist at the corporate headquarters at the Sage Estate. She was later promoted to Administrative Assistant for the Vice President of the Controlled Release Division. Later she worked in logistics and planning at the Menands location. During those years, she met her husband Bill and they were married in April of 1986. In 1988 she retired from Albany International to fulfill her life's calling - raising her family, and dedicating her free time to charitable works in the Saratoga Springs area. She began her charity endeavors with the Saratoga County Children's Committee (SCCC) in 1990, an organization she continued to volunteer for at the time of her passing. She was a past Chairperson, current Membership Chair and also had chaired the Empty Stocking Project (ESP). She involved all three of her children in Empty Stocking activities during the holiday season as they matured through their adolescent and young adult years. She instilled in each of her children a spirit of commitment of service toward the less fortunate in our community. When her daughters danced with the Saratoga City Ballet Company, she served as Executive Production Manager for 10 years and also served as Business Manager of the Saratoga City Ballet School. She was actively involved with the Dorothy Nolan Elementary School Home School Association. Her participation in the HSA spanned 13 years in many different capacities. She attended hundreds of school performances, field trips, fundraisers, field days, and special events hosted by the school and the HSA. Several summers were busy chairing the Hospitality Committee for the Palamountain Polo Fundraiser for Skidmore College and meeting back to school needs for school children through SCCC. In addition to Christmas holiday activities with ESP, her winter schedule included participation in both the Boys and Girls Basketball Booster Clubs at Saratoga High School during her kids' high school years. She began volunteering for Festival of Trees in 2012 as one of the chairpersons for the Family Day and worked in the tree sales room up until her passing. Proceeds from Festival of Trees helps CatholicCharities support their many missions helping the poor. In 2016 she became Co-Chair of the Saratoga Mom Prom. Proceeds from this ladies' night fundraiser went to a selected charity each year benefitting women and/or children. Most times, a lesser-known charity was selected. One such group that received funding was Gateway House of Peace, a group that lends both financial and emotional support for end-of-life care. Another was her cherished Empty Stocking Project providing disadvantaged children with a brighter Christmas. Today, Saratoga Mom Prom remains the sole fundraiser of Saratoga County Children's Committee and their projects. She was a selfless, dedicated, giving person of action that kept a laser focus on the people who needed help. People called Joanne because they knew she'd do everything she could no matter the time or season. Her "career" as a committed citizen to Saratoga Springs through charitable activities was year-round, spanned decades of time, and touched the community's children and adults in every phase of their lives. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 37 years, William "Bill" Luciano and her proud and loving children Rebecca (35), Anthony (31) and Julianna (27). In addition, she is survived by her in-laws Christine and Fred Shear, Peter and Gail Luciano and Mary Ann and Guy Roemer. She is survived by her beloved aunt Carol Sleasman, who was like a sister to her, but was recently predeceased by Carol's husband Richard Sleasman. She is also survived by her aunts, uncles, nieces, a nephew, great niece, great nephew and many cousins. She lost her cherished family cockapoo Rosalie in February, who was waiting for her at the Rainbow Bridge. Family and friends may call from 3-6pm on Sunday, December 3, 2023 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY (518-584-5373). A funeral home service will immediately follow at 6pm. A graveside ceremony will be celebrated at 9am on Monday, December 4, 2023, at St. Peter's Cemetery, West Avenue, Saratoga Springs. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to Saratoga County Children's Committee, P. O. Box 1254, Saratoga Springs NY 12866 or https://www. saratogachildrenscommittee. org/how-can-you-help. Online remembrances may be made at www. burkefuneralhome. com.Show more
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