Clara M. Carlucci

Clara’s Story

Born in 1905 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania she was the daughter of Italian immigrants who came to America by way of Muro Lucano, a city located in Italy’s southern Basilicata Region. As one of 12 children Clara’s life during the early part of the 20th Century saw many hardships and trials. Throughout her life however, she remained kind, sweet, and caring of those around her. The world did not give her much but she made sure to cherish every bit of what she had.

Married to Harry Arcaro at age 15, Clara would go on to have seventeen children between the years 1923 - 1950. As a disabled veteran of World War I, Harry saw his own share of troubles over the years. It was thanks to Clara’s indomitable spirit that the family kept running. While marriage was not her choice, rather an unshakeable expectation of a young woman from that period of American history, she would grow into the type of person anyone would be lucky enough to call Mom. 

Money was always tight when you were trying to take care of a family as large as the one Clara and Harry had. Whether it was sewing clothes from potato sacks or figuring out creative ways to make what little income the family did have go as far as possible, Clara was one resourceful lady. Even when the family would later move to Cincinnati, Ohio, a place that was foreign to Clara and in some ways isolating as she would be leaving behind the only place she knew, still she persisted. Making the best life for her and her family that she could. Clara died on Saturday, December 8, 1984 in Cincinnati’s Anderson Mercy Hospital. She was 79-years old.

In the words of someone who knew her best they said this about Clara:

“She had a sense of responsibility and unequivocal hard work ethic that she instilled in all her kids.  She was no nonsense and held the line when needed.  She was a fighter from start to finish and she deserves to be recognized through acts of servitude and philanthropy.”

It is in the spirit of Clara M. Carlucci and all the kindness and fierce devotion she had for her family and her community that this foundation exists. It is in her honor that we train champions who work hard for their dreams and lift up those around them.

Thank you Clara, for all that you gave.