It is with a heavy heart and an unbearable sense of loss that we announce the passing of our son, Luca

Frank Iacono, Forever 11, of Middletown, NJ on Sunday, November 17, 2019. After more than 2 years of

battling Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, Luca passed away peacefully while holding both his parents’

hands. He leaves behind his heart broken parents, Frank and Michele Iacono.

Luca was born on October 30, 2008 at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, New Jersey and

immediately felt the love of his entire extended family who ran into the room within moments to hug

and hold him. He didn’t want to make his entrance easy and his mother, Michele, was in labor for 24

hours. However, the moment he came into the world a light shined through his beautiful eyes and the

world became a better place.

Luca attended Harmony Elementary to the 5th grade. His favorite subjects were gym, recess, and lunch.

He was bright, talkative, and loved to play, be silly and be happy. He always said he went to the best

school and had the best teachers, friends, and principal. He was so proud, especially during his battle

with Cancer, how the school supported him and even had a “Luca Day” and started our “#LucaStrong”

motto. Luca loved sports and was always an athlete. He loved being outdoors, with the fresh air and

sun shining on him. He played baseball, tennis, basketball, track, swimming, but his real passion was

when he picked up a football. Luca dreamed of being a Running Back for the New York Giants. He had

the speed, the love of the game, and a gift that would have made his dream a reality. When Luca was

on the field and in a game you could feel the energy that he embodied. A True Star!

Family was one of the most important things to Luca. He looked forward to our traditional Sunday

dinners where he would play for hours on end with his older cousins. He enjoyed family vacations,

especially those to Disney and even in his last weeks of life talked about Disney and roller coasters.

Luca loved life and was the epitome of strength and love even during his cancer treatments. He had a

tremendous personality from a young age and those qualities include being loving, empathetic, silly,

witty with a bit of sarcasm, determined to win and loving a challenge. The way he came into this world,

at his own time and on his terms, was the way he left. He was a fighter, with strength to the very end,

and never gave up. He was wise beyond his years and taught those around him not to waste a single

moment, to always smile, be happy, and that life was a gift not to be wasted. For those that had the

pleasure to know him, they were given a special gift that will never be forgotten, and for those that

didn’t have that pleasure they can learn through the stories, pictures of his handsome face with eyes

that told his story, and a smile that lit up the world. He will be tremendously missed by all!

Luca will be reposing at the Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home 1735 Rt 35 Middletown, New Jersey

07748 on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 from 7-9pm and Wednesday, November 20 from 2-4pm and 7-

9pm. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, November 21 at St Mary’s, Mother of God

Church 19 Cherry Tree Farm Road at 10:30am. Entombment at Holmdel Cemetery.

The family asks that guests bring a photo of Luca to the funeral that has meaning (the photo can include

others) and to write why that photo is special or to share a story about Luca. We will hang these photos

on a line and it will be a beautiful collection of memories for years to come.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer

or to Make-A-Wish New Jersey