Condolences on the Passing of the Honorable Anthony Deluca

WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this House has learned of the passing of the Honorable Anthony DeLuca, a dedicated public servant who always had the courage of his convictions to express his beliefs on contentious issues. He also served our nation with honor and distinction as a member of the Rhode Island National Guard; and

WHEREAS, Anthony DeLuca was born in Naples, Italy, the son of the late Alfonso and Annunziata DeLuca. Mr. DeLuca emigrated to the United States at the age of nine with his mother, brother Ciro and sister Anna to join their father in the United States, eventually settling in Providence. Mr. DeLuca attended Holy Ghost grade school, Classical High School, the Rhode Island School of Design, and Providence College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master’s Degrees; and

WHEREAS, Anthony DeLuca was a well-admired educator who taught for over a combined thirty years with the Cranston Public Schools. His distinguished career in education began when he accepted a position at Cranston West High School to teach Italian and Spanish. He later headed the Foreign Language Departments at both Cranston West High School and Western Hills Middle School. Under Mr. DeLuca’s direction, guidance and leadership, both programs received national recognition and accolades for their excellence. Mr. DeLuca was also awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study Italian literature in Italy. Mr. DeLuca also taught at the University of Rhode Island, Salve Regina University and Roger Williams University; and

WHEREAS, Anthony DeLuca was also a distinguished public servant who always served his constituents with passion and abiding integrity. He served on the Cranston City Council for eight years and was elevated by the Council to serve as its Council President. Mr. DeLuca also served for six years, from 1981 to 1986, as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from Cranston. Mr. DeLuca also acted as a delegate to the 20 Democratic National Convention; and

WHEREAS, Anthony DeLuca, with his wife Sylvia, was a passionate supporter of same- sex marriage equality and legislation in Rhode Island. Mr. DeLuca was a dedicated member of Rhode Island Catholics for Marriage Equality, and testified in favor of the 20 Rhode Island bill that legalized same-sex marriage; and

WHEREAS, Mr. DeLuca was also a man of great generosity and compassion who was committed to helping others. He counseled young men in the Progress for Providence program and coached high school football and golf. In his free time, Mr. DeLuca was a passionate student of politics, a superb cook, an opera devotee, and a big fan of the New York Yankees and Providence College Basketball; and

WHEREAS, Mr. DeLuca is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sylvia DeLuca, his children Anthony, Steven and his wife, Kim, and Luisa and her wife, Brenda Harvey. Mr. DeLuca also leaves behind his twin sister Anna Spadetti, his brother-in-law John Mastrobuono and his wife, Carole, his granddaughters Cara DeLuca and Talia DeLuca, and his nieces and nephews, Nancy Courtemanche, Peter J. Spadetti, Stefanie Mastrobuono, Claudia Mastrobuono, Liza DeFedele, Marc Mastrobuono, Jon Paul Mastrobuono, and Matt Fugere. Mr. DeLuca was the brother of the late Ciro DeLuca, the son-in-law of the late John and Mary Mastrobuono, and the brother-in-law of the late Peter A. Spadetti and of the late Paul Mastrobuono; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of the Honorable Anthony DeLuca; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Sylvia DeLuca and Family.