“Coach” Luciano, born July 18th, 1921, is the son of Donato and Raffaela Luciano, attended Fenimore Grammar School, St. Mary’s Grammar School and graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1940. Upon graduation, he entered Seton Hall Preparatory School on a full athletic scholarship, went on the Seton Hall College and received national recognition as a member of the 2-mile Relay Team which established a national record that stood for 16 years.
In 1943, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served for 39 months and was discharged as a First Lieutenant with service in the Pacific Theater. Luciano completed his collegiate career at Colgate University and went on to receive his Master’s Degree from Springfield College. In 1948, he took his first teaching position and remained until his retirement in 1983.
Over the course of his career, “Coach” served as a physical education teacher and athletic director and also coached football, basketball, track and cross country. Three years prior to retirement, he returned to his elementary roots so he could get back to the level at which he started.
Though he has been honored many times over for his outstanding record as a coach and a teacher, it is his devotion to his community that places him in a category all of his own. Generations of kids think of Derby Park as a home due to his willingness to give of himself to benefit those kids. From 1951 until 1991, the team of Mary and Tony Luciano worked tirelessly for the Washington County Children’s Fund which helped not only the children of Hudson Falls but also many throughout the county.
Along with his wife Mary in a team effort, “Coach” raised four children and now enjoys his six grandchildren.