A Legacy That Endures:
Honoring Joseph Colucci ’54
A Legacy That Endures:
Honoring Joseph Colucci ’54
A Legacy That Endures:
Honoring Joseph Colucci ’54
From Brooklyn Tech to Global Impact
As a student at Brooklyn Technical High School, Joe was a College Prep major, a member of Arista, and a consistent presence on the Math Honor Roll. Even then, his intellectual curiosity and discipline were evident.
He would go on to build an extraordinary career in engineering, earning recognition as the “father of clean gasoline.” During his decades at General Motors, where he served as Department Head for Fuels and Lubricants, Joe led efforts that transformed the quality of automotive fuels worldwide—helping vehicles last longer, perform better, and produce fewer emissions. His work contributed directly to cleaner air and a more sustainable future.
His achievements earned him election to the National Academy of Engineering, the prestigious Edward N. Cole Award for Automotive Engineering Innovation, and the Claud R. Ericson Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Engineering, Michigan State University.
In 2005, the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation proudly inducted Joe into our own Alumni Hall of Fame.
“Joe Colucci’s life is a powerful example of what a Brooklyn Tech education can make possible,” said Courtney J. Ulrich ’90, Executive Director of the Alumni Foundation. “His final gift reflects a deep belief in the potential of future Technites. We are honored to carry that legacy forward in service of the next generation.”
A Life of Service and Generosity
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Joe was known for his character: principled, thoughtful, and deeply committed to doing the right thing. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend—someone who led by example and treated others with respect and fairness.
He also believed strongly in giving back.
Throughout his life, Joe remained a loyal Technite and consistent donor to the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation. His generosity reflected a belief that the opportunities he received should be extended to future generations.
His final gift—a meaningful five-figure bequest—ensures that belief continues to make a difference.
The Power of a Planned Gift
Joe Colucci’s legacy is not only found in cleaner fuels or engineering innovation—it lives on in the students who will continue to benefit from his generosity.
Including the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation in your will or estate plans is a powerful way to make a lasting impact. Planned gifts of any size help sustain and expand the programs, resources, and opportunities that define a Brooklyn Tech education.
Like Joe, you can ensure that future Technites have access to the same life-changing experiences that shaped your journey.
Consider Your Legacy
A bequest is one of the simplest and most meaningful ways to give. It requires no immediate financial commitment and can be tailored to your personal circumstances.
By including the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation in your estate plans, you join a community of alumni who are investing in the future of the school—and in the generations of students who will follow.
Joe Colucci’s life reminds us that true impact extends far beyond one lifetime.
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what will your legacy be?
By giving as alumni, you are saying to our current Tech students, "You matter. We believe in you. You are agents of change."
When you give, your funds fill the gap between the basics the city provides to Technites and all the enrichments that are the hallmark of a Tech education.
To learn more about planned giving, contact Michael Kwon, Director of Development at mkwon@bthsalum.org.
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