Gaspare Lucania

Gaspare Lucania, born on May 17th 1933, in Palermo, Sicily in Italy, passed away peacefully on Tuesday September 23rd, 2025 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He was surrounded by those that loved him the most, especially his loving wife of 72 years, Maria Lucnaia. He was the son of Nunzia Lucania and a brother to Marco and his sisters Rosa and Gianna.

Gaspare’s life reflects a true Italian American success story. He was born in Palermo, where he met and married the love of his life, Maria Marciante, in 1954. He worked as a butcher and started his beautiful family with sons Marco and Salvatore. Seeking the best life he could for his family he immigrated to Brooklyn, New York in 1959 and started his own business…The Grand Café Italia where he was known for his hospitality, delicious coffee, sweet treats, and generosity to those who came after him. Gaspare was happy to help those also seeking to achieve the American dream of success and prosperity. His family got bigger with 4 more children, but he desired to achieve even more success. In the 70’s Gaspare moved his family to South Florida and opened the Riptide Restaurant & Bar in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where for 30+ years he happily accommodated the South Florida public and employed many of his family and friends.

Gaspare was predeceased by his young son Gaspare and is survived by his loving wife Maria, sons Marco, Salvatore, Nunzio, Francesco and devoted daughter Maria. Gaspare was deeply loved by his 9 grandchildren Gaspare, Salvatore, Jr., Tiffany, Andrew, Francesca, Anthony, Justin, Francesca, Sabrina, and Alexandra. He was blessed with 10 great-grandchildren Amber, Alex, Avery, Arianna, Gian Carlo, Gianno, Janessi, Aria, Owen, and Nathan.

Gaspare enjoyed fishing and he especially loved watching sports. He was a big New York Rangers fan. Mostly he loved being surrounded by his family and cherished the ‘traditional’ Sunday dinner at his home every week. He will be missed.

The celebration of life for Gaspare Lucania is Tuesday September 30th beginning at 10am at Forrest Lawn Funeral Home in Ft. Lauderdale, FL with a service at 1pm and interment directly after. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the decease that took the life of their young son Gaspare Lucania. For more information, please see this link: https://www.mda.org/