SHS 1960 Graduate Mel Giancola

2024

Louis "Mel" Giancola, 82, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away Monday morning, November 11, 2024. He was born February 13, 1942, to the late Albert and Florence Giancola.
Mel graduated from Shawnee High School, Class of 1960, and furthered his education as an art major at Eastern Kentucky University, earning a B.A. in education. Upon graduation he joined the Peace Corps and for two years he was stationed in southern India working in nutrition and on an oil drilling rig. His Peace Corps experience whetted his appetite for travel and seeing new places, resulting in a trek across Europe before returning home.
After his return to the states, Mel attended EKU to earn his M.A. in art education, followed by teaching art while coaching track, swimming, football and soccer over the years. He began his teaching career in Titusville, FL, then in Lexington, KY, and finally home to Louisville. His 30+ years with the Jefferson County Public Schools included teaching art and coaching, then becoming an assistant principal at the high school level.

Besides coaching, Mel’s love of sports carried over to his senior years by winning numerous medals discus in the Bluegrass Senior games. In addition, he loved the Kentucky Wildcats!
Mel always loved to travel all over the world whether it was driving through Europe or taking multiple cruises covering all 7 continents to exotic places like Japan, China, the Antarctic, and Australia! Italy became a favorite as he explored it many times and even traced his ancestry to a small town in the northern area and prepared the paperwork to become an Italian citizen.
Mel leaves behind to cherish his memory, his son, Nick Giancola (Kim); his two granddaughters, Emma and Sophie; his brother, Albert Giancola (Vicki); his sister, Linda Ann Lee, and numerous cousins, nieces, and friends. The family would like to acknowledge the special people over the years who supported Mel, such as Jack Jacobs, David Mike, John Locke, Bob Brooks, Mary Ann Inglis, Fran Osborne Smith, and former wife, Joan.
Visitation will be from 10 to 1:00 on Friday, November 15, 2024, at Ratterman Brothers, East Louisville (12900 Shelbyville Road, Louisville, KY 40243) with funeral service at 1:00pm, and burial to follow at the Peace Mausoleum in Calvary Cemetery (1600 Newburg Rd, Louisville, KY 40205.