Dr. Leonard A Carlucci

Dr. Leonard A. Carlucci “Dr. C”, age 72, of Edison, NJ passed away on May 11, 2026. 

Lenny, known by many of his patients and friends as Dr. C, was born in Jersey City, and was a proud resident for many years. He was born to Angelina D’Elia and Louis Carlucci on January 28, 1954– he was the 2nd of 4 children. 

Dr. C attended high school at St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School in West New York, NJ, where he was the captain of the swimming team and later was a lifeguard. He proudly won the Jersey City science fair in 8th grade for his reverse osmosis project. 

He then went on to attend Saint Peter’s College, where he majored in Biology, and finally attended New York Chiropractic College, where he graduated in 1979. 

In the early years of his career, Dr. C served as a nutritionist for the Jersey City Senior Meal Program, which later became known as Meals on Wheels. 

Dr. C proceeded to opened his first office in Jersey City, where he proudly practiced for over 40 years. His office’s grand opening was held on March 15, 1981, which was also the 60th birthday of his beloved Aunt Vita. Dr. Carlucci loved his patients dearly and treated them like they were his own family. His dedication led to multiple recognitions through the years, including “Man of the Year” at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Jersey City in 2005, and he was voted “Doctor Who Makes A Difference” in New Jersey Health & Beauty Magazine in 2011. 

His dedication extended to the wider community, leading him to receive the Sole Recipient of the Civilian Award in the 1980s, when he tackled and captured a wanted criminal on the streets of Jersey City. He later graduated from the Edison Civilian Police Academy with his wife, Christine, with the goal of protecting his community.   

In addition to his dedication to his patients, he was equally passionate about music. Dr. C was an avid drummer since his teenage years, playing in a band called “The Proformers” with his older brother, Dr. Joseph Carlucci, younger brother, Anthony Carlucci, and beloved friends, Bob Miragliotta and Joe Jackson. He proudly played alongside his brother Tony in the 2003 Sun Fest opening for The Beach Boys. Dr. C played in the band “The Goodfellas” with Dr. Vince Giardina in the early 2000s, and released multiple CDs with them. Dr. C’s most recent band that he established was “The Jazzy City Band”, which he started over 20 years ago and where he made some of his lifelong friends, including saxophonist, Tom Baretta, guitarist, Johnny Shmitz, and vocalist, David Theresa. 

While he loved his patients and band, his true passion was his family. Dr. C met his wife, Christine, in 1970, as Chris was best friends with his sister, Ellen, in grammar school. Dr. C married Chris in Las Vegas on July 4, 1989 at the Chapel of Love at the prime hour of 1 AM. They continued to celebrate with annual 4th of July parties, which always included epic fireworks. 

He loved Chris and the family they built, often referring to the birth of his two daughters, Marisa and Lorianna as “the best days of his life”. His love of family extended to his nieces and nephews, Joey Carlucci, Dr. Joseph Sonntag, Dr. Michael Sonntag, and Elena Sonntag. His extended family often stayed with Dr. C for the whole summer, where they went swimming and shared great memories. Dr. C also had a special bond with his Aunt Vita, affectionately
referred to as “Auntie B.”, who he picked up weekly for Sunday dinners and her beauty parlor appointments. 

Another defining attribute of Dr. C was his spontaneity. He once took a flying lesson to Block Island, where he enjoyed fresh-caught lobster with his friend, Arthur Horvath. Dr. C was also spontaneous in everyday life, occasionally taking midnight trips to Atlantic City and bringing his nephews to Times Square in the middle of the night. 

If you knew him well, you knew he lived his life on his own terms. To Dr. C, time was just a suggestion and he would regularly be 10 minutes late to church every week and an hour late to any event he attended, including every single day of work (where, ironically, he made his own schedule). He was well known for loving his birthday, often having multiple celebrations. 

Dr. Carlucci is survived by his wife, Christine, daughters, Marisa and Lorianna, son-in-law, David Varela, sister, Ellen Sonntag, brother Anthony Carlucci and wife Rosanna Carlucci, nephews, Dr. Joseph Sonntag and Dr. Michael Sonntag, niece, Elena Sonntag, great-niece Angelina Kaye, and great-nephew, James Sonntag. He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Angelina Carlucci, his Aunt Vita Amabile, his brother, Dr. Joseph Carlucci, his nephew, Joey Carlucci, and many friends. 

Visitation will be held at Gosselin Funeral Home in Edison, NJ on Monday, May 18 from 4 - 8 PM. Funeral service will be held at St. Helena’s Roman Catholic Church in Edison, NJ on Tuesday, May 19 at 11 AM with Fr. Anthony Sirianni officiating. Entombment will be held at St. Gertrude’s Mausoleum in Colonia, NJ immediately following.

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