Luca Julio Esposito

Luca Julio Esposito passed away October 10, 2018 after a brief illness.  Luca was born the son of Anthony and Antoinette Bottini Esposito on May 6, 1936 in Utica.  In May 1962 he married Gina Trisolino with whom he shared a glorious married life for 56 years.  He is survived by his wife, Gina, his son Luke Esposito (Andrea Burchak) of Seattle, WA, his daughter Marla Esposito (Kurt Merli) of Los Angeles, CA, and his granddaughter and the light of his life, Melania Merli. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Pacini of Syracuse, NY, his aunt Helen Giordano, sister-in-law Angela LaBella, sister and brother-in-law Elaine and David Seeley, sister and brother-in-law Julie and Mike Houghton, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
After graduating from Proctor High School in 1954, Luca served in the US Army and later attended Utica College with the GI Bill.  He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Accounting. His business acumen served him well in his work experiences at General Electric and Mohawk Data Sciences. The professional experience of which he was most proud, however, was the years (1976-2006) he spent at the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired where he retired as Vice President of Manufacturing. He loved the nature of the work he helped develop on the production and industrial side of the organization, providing meaningful work for the blind and visually impaired who shared his enthusiasm for their work. Each day he would walk through the plant and greet each worker by name with a cheerful good morning. This natural daily habit impressed staff whom he mentored and colleagues throughout the country who recognized and emulated this personal touch.
Luca also is well known in the central New York community for his love of ballroom and social dancing which he taught with his wife Gina for decades at MVCC, and many other local schools, colleges and churches. He also taught at Good News Center where he produced a yearly local version of Dancing with the Stars.  He and his wife could be seen at various community galas with their dance troupe of students with whom they shared their healthy addiction to the joy of dancing to the music.
He was a member of the Utica Lions Club, USA Dance, Patricians Dance Club and the 100 Club.
His adoring children know that their lives will never be the same without their devoted dad.  His many dance friends, co-workers and childhood buddies from East Utica will miss their cherished friend and his confident but modest swagger because “Everybody Loves Luca”.  The one who will miss him the most, however, is his wife and partner with whom he moved “as one” through the dance of life.
Luca was pre-deceased by his parents, his father- and mother- in law, Joseph Trisolino and Lucy Montenaro Trisolino, his sister Felicia Esposito, his step-brothers Phillip, Benjamin and “Firp” Farda, and several sisters- and brothers-in law including Jay Trisolino, Celeste Surace, Sebastian Trisolino, Marie Johnson and Lucille Trisolino.
The family would like to thank the compassionate staff at Faxton St. Luke’s Hospital and Masonic Care Rehab Facility.
Contriubutions can be made to the Central Association For The Blind and Visually Imparied, the American Cancer Society, or The Good News Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 am Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 2222 Genesee St., Utica, NY. The family will receive friends at church following the Mass.
Entombment with military honors will be in Calvary Mausoleum, Utica.
Arrangements by Scala & Roefaro Funeral Home, Inc., 1122 Culver Ave., Utica, NY 13501