Luciano Miceli

Luciano Miceli of Rutherford, NJ passed away peacefully at home on July 4, 2025, at the age of 90 surrounded by family. Born on March 31, 1935, in Manhattan, New York. He is survived by Joyce, his devoted wife of 65 years, his loving sister Frances, sister-in-law Marie, his children Peter, John and Janice, Tom and Sandy, and Maria and Bruce; grandchildren Ashey and Rich, Brian and Erin, Nicole, Justin and Megan, Alex, Leah, James, Amber, Jason, and Ava, great-grandchildren Sienna, Alanna, Jakob, Gage, and Holden. Along with Joyce, Fran, and three generations of the Miceli family, Lu is survived by beloved nieces and nephews, extended family, friends who are like family, and countless friends and associates who will miss him dearly.
He is predeceased by his loving parents Mary and Tony, his mother- and father-in-law Marie and Herb, brothers-in-law Romolo and Herbert and other family and friends that have also found their way home.
From 1954 to 1956 Lu served in the United States Army and was a radio operator stationed in Panama during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge as a Corporal in 1956, Lu graduated from the State University at Farmingdale, earning his associates degree in 1958. In September 1959, he married his college sweetheart Joyce, and they moved to Georgia where Lu completed his bachelor's degree at the University of Georgia to become a landscape architect. After graduation, they returned to New York and continued to grow their family. Reflecting on his career, Lu once wrote, "In 1964 we had no built work to promote. We did the best we could with what little we had, but we believed in the value of landscape architecture."
Lu went on to help build a thriving, award-winning landscape architectural firm, with his partners and associates, predominantly based in Rutherford where he lived for 51 years. In 1977 and 1981, Lu and his partner Bruce Kulik were recipients of the National Award for Excellence in Environmental Design and Planning bestowed by the White House. Lu was an active member of the American Society of Landscape Architecture, a founding member of the Rutherford Chapter of UNICO, and involved in many volunteer efforts in Rutherford and at the county level.
Lu made the world more beautiful through his love of design, his love of art, his sense of humor, and his love for family and friends.
Although there could never be enough time with Lu, his was a life well spent. He enjoyed traveling in the United States and abroad, sharing that love with his family through camping and skiing adventures, vacations in Stone Harbor, NJ, and family trips to Mexico, Bermuda, France, and especially Italy with multiple visits throughout the years. A lifelong New York Yankees fan, Lu loved to tell stories of games before lights in the ballpark and often quoted Yogi Berra or Phil Rizzuto. On autumn Saturdays, you might find Lu watching the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team and on several occasions making the trek to Athens, Georgia with family to see them play live. Lu loved to play golf and would often attend golf outings with family and friends in New Jersey and Florida where he and Joyce spent most winters for the past several decades.
Lu has left an indelible mark on countless people and will forever be remembered for his love and kindness.
Family will receive friends on Thursday July 10th from 2:00 to 4:00 & 7:00 to 9:00pm at the Calhoun-Mania Funeral Home, 19 Lincoln Ave., Rutherford. Funeral Friday gathering 9:00am at the funeral home for a 10:00am Prayer Service offered by Rev. Walters. Interment, East Ridgelawn Cemetery, Clifton.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Luciano to the American Cancer Society.