Death Notices: Longtime Pacifica Residents Pass Away Close to Home

Stephanie Lukton passed away in March 2013 while living in Pacifica.

Stephanie was born on Christmas day 1954 and grew up in Neponsit, New York, a close-knit community on the Atlantic Ocean, a part of the Rockaway Peninsula. 

Her entire life was spent along one coast or the other (having moved from the East Coast to California in the 1970’s).  In Neponsit, she was a fixture on “Rock, Rock, Rockaway Beach,” so stridently enshrined by The Ramones, where she enjoyed hanging out during all seasons with the growing surfing crowd in New York City in the 1960’s and ‘70s.  Her perfect smile and glowing face – from either the sun of the summer or cold blasts of the winter – will always be a part of that all-too-brief moment in time.  Her surf buddies miss and mourn her.

She is recalled with great fondness by her classmates from Junior High School 180 and Far Rockaway High School, especially remembered for her love of music and her dedication to clarinet in the Junior High and High School bands.  Serious, but always smiling in the woodwind section, Stephanie also had a passion for rock and roll, which she expressed on the keyboards.

Her love of and kindness to stray cats and dogs was recently brought to the attention of many of her east coast friends, though this tenderness for the weak and abused should not have been surprising given the gentle nature and overall kindness with which she approached life in general.

Stephanie is survived by her younger brother David Lukton, a chemist with a doctorate in the DC area, and her father Aaron – a respected research chemist who taught at City College and today lives in Berkley.  She is pre-deceased by her mother, Rosemary.

Donations to any charity dedicated to the care and adoption of stray dogs and cats is encouraged - as are frequent thoughts of Stephanie Lukton, whose life was full of many interests and much love, but too little time.

Tosca Veronica Graziani passed away peacefully on Dec. 17, 2013, in Pacifica at the age of 95, much loved by family and friends. Tosca was preceded in death by her beloved husband Leonard Graziani. She is survived by her daughters Theresa Graziani, Laura Wallace and Linda (George) Bertuccio.

Friends and family may visit Monday December 23, 2013 from 9:30am at Duggan's Serra Mortuary, 500 Westlake Ave, Daly City and are invited to attend the Funeral Mass Monday at 10:30am at Holy Angels Church, 107 San Pedro Rd, Colma. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma. 

Philip Joseph Caracciolo, passed away at home in Pacifica on November 24, 2013.  A native of San Francisco and a long term employee of Candlestick Park.  Phil is survived by his Wife, Mother, Brother, Children, Grandchildren, and Family.  He was a much loved and will be sorely missed by all.  Memorial Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.