In Loving Memory

 Danny Santa Lucia

 July 28, 1946 — March 14, 2026

Kind to Everyone.

Danny Santa Lucia, 79, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed peacefully on March 14, 2026, surrounded by the love of friends and family.

Danny was born on July 28, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York, to Juanita “Gregg” and Nicholas Santa-Lucia. He grew up in Brooklyn, NY with a lively family of two brothers and six sisters. His grandfather, Luigi Anatra, was born in Sicilia, Italy, and Danny carried deep pride in his Italian heritage throughout his life.

In his younger years, Danny became involved in the early days of Teen Challenge in Philadelphia through the ministry of David Wilkerson. From that beginning, his life became one devoted to faith, music, and encouragement. As a minister with the Assemblies of God churches, Danny traveled widely, speaking and singing in churches and sharing his faith with warmth, humor, and sincerity.

Danny attended North Central Bible College in Minnesota, where his love for music continued to grow and where his powerful voice became a gift he shared freely with others.

Throughout his life Danny had a deep love for travel and history. For many years he organized Holy Land tours, leading travelers to Israel, Egypt, Africa, Rome, Belgium, Greece, and Lebanon. One of his favorite stories was recalling when Roy Rogers and his wife Dale Evans joined several of those tours.

Danny was a man of many talents and a lover of words. He was always ready to beat anyone in a spirited game of Scrabble and took great joy in language, conversation, and storytelling. His friendly charm drew people toward him wherever he went, and he rarely met a stranger he could not turn into a friend. Dan was kind to everyone in every circumstance.

Music was one of Danny’s greatest joys. He possessed a beautiful, powerful voice and especially loved singing gospel music. His recordings can be found on major music platforms under the name Danny Gregorio, a stage name inspired by his mother’s maiden name. Of all his recordings, he was most proud of his rendition of “The Twelfth of Never.”

Even in hospitals and difficult moments, Danny’s spirit remained the same. He entertained nurses and staff by singing while they worked to stabilize him or wheel him into surgery. Music, for Danny, was never just performance — it was a way of sharing life and hope. Danny worked hard to stay with us; we tried hard to keep him, and the doctors worked tirelessly to mend him.

Danny is lovingly remembered by his wife, Janet (Stafos); three sons; Jason (Cathy) Santa Lucia, Christopher (Heather) Santa Lucia, and Tony (Mary) Santa Lucia. He leaves behind six grandchildren: Dominic and Gianna Santa Lucia; Vincent Santa Lucia; and Nick, Xander, and Ben Santa Lucia.

He is also survived by his brother Billy and sister Rita; his stepson Chris (Renee) Valentine and their children Emily and Lea; grandchildren Tanika and Tarrissa; and great-grandchildren Skyler and Zori.

Danny was preceded in death by his parents, Juanita and Nicholas Santa-Lucia; his brother Junior; five sisters Dolly, Diana, Janet, Rhoda, and Babe; and his former wife Judith (Stevens).

Danny will be remembered for his voice, his stories, his faith, and the warmth that seemed to follow him wherever he went. He leaves behind a legacy of music, laughter, friendship, and love that will continue to echo in for all who knew him. His voice may be quiet for now, but the song he placed in the hearts of others will never end.

Services

Visitation will be 11:00-1:00pm, Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at the Northland Cathedral,(101 NW 99th St. Kansas City, MO 64155) immediately followed by the funeral service at 1:00pm. Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery, Kansas City, KS.

Danny's family suggest that memorial contributions be given the Northland Cathedral in lieu of flowers. You can donate directly to Northland Cathedral by clicking on the link below.

https://pushpay.com/g/northlandcathedral?src=hpp

If you can't make it to Danny's service in person, you can still join us online. The service will be streamed live on the Northland Cathedral website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.

https://www.nckc.org/ministries/nc-church-online/