Daniel ‘Dan’ Luciano, a veteran U.S. Navy submariner in WWII and legendary Bergen County former athlete and coach, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2025, at the age of 101.
The renowned Bergen County coach and educator, Daniel Luciano, served for over three decades, beginning his journey at his alma mater, Lodi High School, where he taught physical education and coached football and baseball.
He later transitioned to Northern Valley Regional High School in Demarest as head footbal coach in 1958 and then to Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan in 1962, serving as the founding Director of Athletics and Chairman of the Physical Education Department for 14 years.
Throughout his career as a fantastic coach, educator, and athlete, Daniel Luciano won the hearts of many.
Born on September 9, 1923, in Lodi, New Jersey, to parents Mamie and Frank Luciano, Daniel Luciano was a natural athlete who lettered in football, wrestling, and baseball at Lodi High School.
He also won both the Diamond Gloves and Golden Gloves boxing championships in 1939.
Upon graduation from Lodi High School in 1942, Daniel paused his athletic career to serve in the United States Navy during World War II until 1946.
He further continued his athletic journey while attending Bergen Junior College in Teaneck, New Jersey, where he excelled in football and baseball, earning the Outstanding Athlete Award.
It was also during his tenure at Bergen Junior College that Daniel Luciano met the love of his life, his wife Jean, of Bergenfield.
Likewise, Daniel Luciano graduated from Bergen Junior College in 1948, while his wife, Jean Porter, graduated a year earlier in 1947.
Following his graduation from Bergen Junior College, Daniel Luciano continued his studies, earning a degree in Physical Education from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. Meanwhile, his wife, Jean, earned her B.A. degree in education from Syracuse University in 1949.
After years of dating, the couple tied the knot on June 30, 1951, at Tenafly Methodist Church.
Moreover, after Daniel Luciano retired from his three-decade-long career, he and his wife, Jean, moved to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Daniel Luciano Was Preceded In Death By His Beloved Wife, Jean Louise Porter
The legendary high school coach, Daniel Luciano, lost his beloved wife of 63 years, Jean, in 2014.
Jean Luciano, born in Union City, N.J., to parents Florence and Frank Porter, passed away on October 31, 2014, at the age of 87 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Furthermore, Jean Porter was not just an amazing wife to Daniel Luciano but also an amazing educator.
She began her teaching career in Westwood, New Jersey, and continued teaching at Wandell School in Saddle River, N.J., for 20 years.
In addition to being a teacher, Jean was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church as well as the Port Royal Plantation Ladies 9-holers.
Similarly, her memorial service took place at Christ Lutheran Church on November 16 in Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, SC.
Daniel Luciano and his wife Jean Porter leave behind their daughters, Debra ‘Debbie’ Catalioto-Buzzelli, Sandra ‘Sandi’ Schrettner, Amy Luciano-Heinrich (Gregor), grandchildren, Martin Catalioto, Kimberly Schrettner, and Daniella Castillo, and the whole family.
Talking about their daughters, Sandi Schrettner, a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, serves as the manager of WiseGuys in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, and Debra Catalioto, a graduate of Elon University, serves as the Concierge at Marriott Vacation Club International.
No information about Amy is available, as she prefers to maintain a low profile and isn’t active on social media.
A celebration of the life of the late Daniel Luciano will be held at a later date. Instead of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in his memory to Christ Lutheran Church.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Daniel Luciano was honored by the National World War II Museum for his role in preserving the legacy of WWII veterans.
- He won several honorable titles throughout his career, including coach of the year, New Jersey Director of Athletics Award, New Jersey State Coaches Association Hall of Fame, YMCA of Bergen County Service to Youth Award, Northern Valley Old Tappan High School Hall of Fame, and Lodi High School Hall of Fame.
