There are so many memories! I had the pleasure of playing for and coaching with Papa Joe. I can honestly say he was the best coach to play for and the best coach to coach with - bar none! (Sorry, Dad!) 

One thing he instilled in every person that came in contact with him was the abundance of love he gave. He was a very intimidating figure for a 12 year old boy who was smaller than everybody else. He was really hard on me throughout my playing days and I loved that! He ended every game and practice with the words "I love you" to all of us players. He was able to get every last bit of effort and talent out of all of us. 

One night, we were practicing under the old scoreboard lights a Twin Peaks. We ran 29 Quick Pitch at least 25 times in a row. I was his half back, so that meant I had to run about 25 yards, get hit, every time. I remember one of the players asking why we had to do it again, because we "scored" the last 5 times. 

Papa Joe: "Have you ever heard the saying practice makes perfect?"
Us: "Yes, Coach!"
Papa Joe: "It is a lie. Just practicing is not enough. PRACTICE PERFECT MAKES PERFECT! That is the way it should be. NOW GET ON THE BALL AND RUN IT AGAIN!"

Papa Joe and the Lucias were always there for me and my family. He taught me to always kiss my mother AND father. Be sure to tell those you love that you love them every single time you leave their side. 

I could go on and on... I am incredibly saddened  that I could not make the service due to work obligations that were out of my control. 

His impact on me, specifically, is immeasurable. 

I love you, Papa Joe. You have inspired me to be a better coach, better husband, better parent, and better person. You have touched millions and have had a lasting effect on all!

To the Lucia Family, Please accept the condolences of my family at the passing of Joe. What a great person he was. All three of my boys had the privilege to play Pop Warner for him for several years and I was President of the Poway Pop Warner Football Board for several years and got to know Joe very well. I was able to watch and learn from him as he took young boys and developed their skills and often changed their attitudes from negative into understanding teamwork and believing in themselves and one another. He even assisted me when my oldest son was having issues with his grades in school. I asked Joe if he would talk with my son. One afternoon, following practice I see Joe with his arm around my son's shoulder walking off the field. I later asked my son what the Coach had to say. He told me the Coach wanted him to bring a progress report from his teacher each week. If he didn't have a C+ average, he wasn't going to be playing football. Well, my son maintained a minimum of a B average the entire time he played for Joe. That is a small example of what I saw Joe do with those he came in contact with. As you all know, Joe loved to push the boundaries with his players in order to make them the best they could be. As a former athlete and a parent of three players I was very pleased at this. As the Board President I was often driven up the wall by many other coaches who weren't to pleased and felt Coach Lucia wasn't playing fair. Yet he always was. He could assess talent like no other person I have ever seen and that is a big reason why year in and year out he continued to have championship teams. When I would catch him going a bit too far and say something to him, he would sheepishly look at me and quietly say "You know Coach, everything is going to be fine, they'll get used to it." I had to remind him at this point that perhaps he should tone it down a bit. He would smile and graciously say "whatever you need." Thank you for sharing him with us.

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El Camino Memorial - Sorrento Valley & Memorial Park

Joseph Lucia

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Joseph Angelo Lucia

December 5, 1926 – January 7, 2020

El Camino Memorial - Sorrento Valley & Memorial Park

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