Richard "Lum" "Coach" LaLumia

Poland - Richard J. LaLumia ("Lum," "Coach"), 86, of Poland, passed away at the Hospice House on Saturday July 26, 2025.

Dick was born April 12, 1939 in Youngstown, the son of John C and Concetta G. (Battaline) LaLumia and was a lifelong area resident.  

He was a graduate of Boardman High School and furthered his education at YSU and Wilmington College earning his master’s in teaching. He taught history and geography with Boardman schools for 40 years before retiring. He coached football for 22 years, of which are his fondest memories of so many students and athletes. He was inducted into the Boardman Hall of Fame in 1999 for his excellence in football and track.  Dick loved Saturday football on tv and cheered on The Ohio State Buckeyes, Notre Dame and Alabama.  He and his brother Tom played chair side quarterbacks going over every play in the game.

Dick was a member of the Boardman booster club and rarely missed a Boardman Spartan football game. He was a member of the Boardman Historical Society and along with a good friend and former teacher wrote and compiled the book, "The History of Boardman”. Dick has read every history book and political book published, he loved politics and Ronald Reagan and could tell you anything about both. His favorite past time was dancing on weekends with his cousin and her friends; he never sat out a dance. He also loved the horses and spent many days at Waterford Park playing the horses with his brother and their buddies.   

He leaves to cherish his memory, his sister Patty LaLumia of Boardman and his “Forever Love” and former wife and friend Carolyn LaLumia and great friends Jimmy Leone and Nuch Antonucci and so many others. 

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, his maternal and paternal grandparents and numerous aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his beloved brother Tom LaLumia. 

He left a legacy of great kindness, patience and integrity and had a very close relationship with the Lord who held him close in his final days.

Family and friends may pay their respects on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Parish – St. Charles Borromeo Church, 7345 Westview Dr., Boardman, where a Funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 a.m., celebrated by Father David Weikart.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Boardman.

We extend our deepest love and thanks to anyone who had a hand in Dick LaLumia’s beautiful life. 

Instead of gifts or flowers we ask that you make a small donation to Angels for Animals or any animal rescue shelter of your choice. 

Family and friends may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com to view this obituary and send condolences to Dick’s family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard "Lum" "Coach" LaLumia, please visit our floral store.