Fordham Mourns the Passing of Lucy Carlesimo

Bronx, N.Y. – Fordham University mourns the loss to Lucy Carlesimo, wife of former Fordham athletic director Peter Carlesimo, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 93.
 
A native of Olyphant, Pennsylvania, the former Lucy Rogan, one of ten children, married Peter Carlesimo, one of ten children, in 1948 and had ten children, all Fordham graduates. The eldest, P. J. Carlesimo, followed his father's footsteps into the coaching world, serving as a head coach at Seton Hall, leading the Pirates to the 1989 NCAA Final Four, before moving to the NBA where he served as head coach for Portland (1994-1997) and Golden State (1997-1999) and then an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs (2002-2007), winning the NBA titles with the Spurs.
 
Lucy Carlesimo had a hand in P.J.'s coaching success to the extent that she would stay in touch with P.J.'s recruits. It was even noted in a 1999 Sports Illustrated story that Charles Barkley would always scream, "Hi, Mom!" when he saw Lucy.
 
Lucy Carlesimo was predeceased by her husband, who passed away in 2003. Peter Carlesimo served as the director of athletics at Fordham from 1968-1978. Besides P.J., they are survived by daughters Cheryl, Tara, Mari and Rogan and sons Gregg, Mark, Kevin, Sean, and Cory, along with 13 grandchildren.
 
Visiting hours will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Wednesday, April 13, at McGrath & Sons Funeral Home in Bronxville, N.Y. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, April 14, in the University Church.