Obituary of Frank P. Lucianna

Frank P. Lucianna, Attorney, Dean of The Criminal Bar of New Jersey, Dies at age 99. Frank P. Lucianna, of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, died peacefully on November 28, 2022 surrounded by his loving family, six weeks short of his one hundredth birthday. Frank was known as "The Dean of The NJ Criminal Bar," having practiced criminal defense in the State of New Jersey for 71 years. He tried over 100 murder cases and represented countless criminal defendants including Richard Kuklinski, "The Ice Man", and many notorious criminal defendants. He forged the first successful defense in the State of New Jersey of the "Battered Women's Syndrome" to achieve a full acquittal of Dorothy Rapp who was charged with murdering her husband. Frank had his own unique dramatic courtroom style, skilled cross-examination ability, and sentencing arguments, all that made both juries and courtroom attendees cry. He was known as "A Legend" in the Bergen County Courthouse and mentored many younger lawyers. He often said his greatest joy and pride was his wife and his family, God, the Law and his Country. He was a sergeant with the 459th Bombardment group in World War II, serving as a Flight Maintenance gunner. He earned four Bronze Battle Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Citation, Air Medal, American Theatre Medal, WWII Victory Medal & Distinguished Service Medal. Frank graduated from Fordham College in 1948 and Fordham Law School in 1951. He was an avid distance runner and athlete. He practiced law at Lucianna & Lucianna, Esqs., Hackensack, New Jersey until, immediately before his death, driving himself to work every day. At age 89, he received the Bergen County Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award even though he wasn't retired. Mr. Lucianna is survived by his loving wife, Dolores Lucianna, of 67 years, his devoted and loving daughters, Diane Lucianna, of Saddle River, New Jersey and Nancy Lucianna of Piermont, New York and his grandchildren, Elizabeth Wafer and Derek Wafer. He is predeceased by his loving daughter Susan Lucianna. The family will receive friends on Monday December 5, 2022 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM for visitation at the funeral home. The Funeral will begin on Tuesday December 6, 2022, at 10:30 AM from the G. Thomas Gentile Funeral Home, 397 Union Street, Hackensack, NJ. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Cecilia's R.C. Church, 55 West Demarest Avenue, Englewood, NJ at 12:00 Noon. Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Tenafly. To send condolences, directions, or for further information Please visit www.gentilefuneralservice.com