Henry Walter "Hank" de Luca, Jr.

Henry Walter “Hank” de Luca Jr., of Wyncote, Pennsylvania, died Saturday, November 26, 2016, of complications from pneumonia at Abington Memorial Hospital. He was 82 years old. The first child of Helen (née McNutt) de Luca and Henry W. de Luca, Esquire, Hank was born in Philadelphia on July 21, 1934. Hank’s brothers – the late Richard and David (Pamela) – came along in due course, all growing up in Holy Angels Parish and attending LaSalle College High School. While at LaSalle High, Hank played center on consistently unsuccessful football teams remarkable for their smart uniforms.​Later, after completing his freshman campaign at the University of Pennsylvania, Hank studied for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary for a memorable year during which he met his friend of sixty-plus years, the Reverend John J. “Jack” Bradley. Hank thereafter finished college at LaSalle, graduating in 1957 with a degree in Marketing. In 1960, formalizing the best decision of his life, he married Carol Ann Simmons of Meadowbrook. In the ten years that followed, they had five children – Paul (Elizabeth), Justin (Nora), DorothyHankinson (Thomas), Daniel (Ursula), and Jeremy (Erin). These children provided abundant joy, not to mention stimulating challenges, during Hank and Carol’s 56 years of marriage. ​Career-wise, Hank first followed a profession in securities and banking, during which he met his dear-departed friends Jim Morris and Jack McGeever. However, Hank was an artist at heart, as evidenced by his consistent involvement with school shows and community theatre over the years. Thus, with Carol’s magnanimous support, at 42 he redirected his livelihood pursuits toward performing, working as an actor, narrator, announcer and model for the next thirty-plus years. In plying the craft he loved, he appeared in the theatre, movies, and industrial films, as well as radio and TV commercials. Along the way, he was interviewed several times in various media to recount the story of his unusual and daring career path. Proud to be a working actor, Hank thrived on landing and accomplishing all different kinds of engagements. Still, his theatre gigs were the most prized, particularly those at the Walnut Street Theatre, notably Funny Girl, Big River, Damn Yankees, 1776, My Fair Lady and To Kill A Mockingbird. His favorite role, however, was an early triumph as Harold Hill in The Music Man. An unlikely union man, Hank was nonetheless glad to have been a member of the Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the Actors’ Equity Association. He was also glad to have completed a course of study at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. ​Hank’s interests and activities were consistent with his dual devotions to family and work. Along with Carol, he supported and attended their children’s various school, athletic, musical and scouting activities. They also entertained enthusiastically and graciously, either out on the town or by welcoming friends into their bustling home. No dinner party was complete without show tunes played on the turntable and sung from the dinner table. In quieter moments, Hank enjoyed reading – mainly actors’ biographies, history, and every newspaper and magazine he could get his hands on (and take his scissors to). Always a good son, he was keenly considerate of his beloved parents, especially his father in the many years he lived after Hank’s mother died. He was also a faithful and active Roman Catholic who – along with Carol – succeeded in providing his children the full complement of Catholic education. In addition, Hank was a skilled and classy lector for most of his forty-plus years as a member of St. James Church in Elkins Park. Hank is survived by his brother Dave and many of their cousins. He is also survived by his precious grandchildren – Lauren, Emily, Benjamin, Michael, Catherine, Evan, James, William and Bryn (to whom he was “Grumpsie”), as well as his great-grandchild – Owen (to whom he was, naturally, “Great Grumpsie”). In addition, he is survived by his treasured children. Last, but in no way least, he is survived by his loyal and loving wife, whose commitment to him was nothing short of inspiring. A two-hour gathering period will be held at St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Glenside on Wednesday, November 30th, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Immediately thereafter, at 11:00 a.m., a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, also at St. Luke’s. Interment of Hank’s ashes at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery will follow Mass. A luncheon at North Hills Country Club will follow the interment. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary (http://stcharlesseminaryappeal.org/).