John Francis Brucato

Louisville - John Francis Brucato, age 63, passed away peacefully on June 24 after a courageous four-year battle with ALS.

John is survived by his devoted wife of 39 years, Jan Brucato; his beloved daughter, Katie (Pat) Kelly; and his cherished grandchildren, Olivia and Brooks Kelly. He also leaves behind his loving siblings, Mike (Lori) Brucato and Tom (Cyndi) Brucato. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Mary Ann Brucato.

Born in Covington, Kentucky, and raised in Fort Wright, John was a proud graduate of Covington Catholic High School and Northern Kentucky University. Over the span of his remarkable 47-year coaching career, John made a lasting impact on age group and collegiate swim programs throughout Kentucky and Tennessee.

John's coaching résumé includes producing numerous NCAA All-American swimmers, conference finalists, Olympic Trials qualifiers, and two Olympic athletes. He served as a coach and manager at two USA Swimming National Select Camps and was honored to coach at the U.S. Olympic Festival.

In 2012, John was hired to build Bellarmine University's first NCAA Men's and Women's Swim Teams. What began with just 12 swimmers grew into a thriving program of over 40 student-athletes. Even as ALS began to affect his health, John continued coaching until 2023. In recognition of his achievements and lasting impact, he was inducted into the Bellarmine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2025.

Beyond his accomplishments in the pool, John's true legacy lies in his mentorship and personal care for his athletes. In 2022, he received Bellarmine University's Cura Personalis award-Latin for "care of the person"-a fitting tribute to the way he invested in the lives, families, and futures of those he coached.

An outdoor enthusiast, John found joy and peace in nature. He was an avid hiker and backpacker, exploring many of the country's national parks. Even as ALS limited his mobility, he could be found enjoying Cherokee Park in his wheelchair, sharing smiles and conversations with those he met along the way. John also savored time for books, and his passion for reading endured as his physical limitations grew. One of his favorite books was Lonesome Dove, in which a line reads, "The hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters." John never struggled with this choice.

Above all, he loved his family and cherished his friends. He had a rare gift for building and sustaining meaningful relationships. His kindness, humor, and wisdom will be forever remembered by all who knew him.

Visitation from 9 to 10:45 a.m. EST., memory sharing/tributes 10:45 -11:20, and a funeral Mass from 11:30 - 12:45 will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, 3938 Poplar Level Road, Louisville, Kentucky, 40213 on Wednesday, July 2. All guests are invited to stay after mass to reunite with friends over lunch.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to the Bellarmine University Swim Team Scholarship Fund, honoring John's legacy and supporting student-athletes who embody his character, spirit, and love for others. Donations may be sent to Bellarmine University, Development Office, 2001 Newburg Rd. Louisville, KY 40205.