Anthony N. Fusco Sr.

Anthony N. Fusco Sr. passed away peacefully in Wilmington, Delaware on June 14, 2024, one week shy of his ninety-fourth birthday. Tony possessed a rare combination of authenticity and enterprising vision that made him both well-liked and well-respected. He was a builder, but not in the traditional sense; Tony was interested in building things that last: family, relationships, communities, and legacies. Tony was born on June 22, 1930 in Castel Morrone, Italy, to Madalena and Francesco Fusco. At the age of two, Tony immigrated to the United States via Ellis Island and settled with his family in the Little Italy neighborhood of Wilmington. Tony attended Wilmington High School and, just prior to graduation, enlisted in the US Navy. Upon his honorable discharge, Tony returned to Wilmington and married Catherine A. Rapuano in 1953. Tony and Catherine were married for 49 years until her death in 2002. As a young man, Tony demonstrated a remarkable capacity for hard work, routinely holding multiple jobs. From that hard work, he honed an ambition that served as the seed of Fusco Management, which he founded in 1965. With Fusco Management, Tony found an outlet for his indefatigable work ethic and his shrewd instincts, and he quickly settled-in to his vocation in commercial real estate. Fusco Management became one of the largest real estate portfolios in New Castle County, and with that growth, Tony became an influential member of the community that welcomed him just decades earlier. Tony's personal relationship with Rev. Roberto Balducelli, OSFS, the long-time pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Little Italy, was seminal to his emergence as one of the region's foremost philanthropists. Tony's pioneering support for St. Anthony's Church and grade school, Padua Academy, and St. Anthony in the Hills, were among the first of his transformational gifts, which became even more numerous later in his life. Tony made cornerstone commitments to Nemours Children's Hospital, The Delaware Art Museum, Salesianum School, Ursuline Academy, St. Edmond's Academy, St. Mark's High School, and Delaware Military Academy. Tony always said that his highest honor was receiving the Rev. Roberto Balducelli Appreciation Award in 2017, for his unyielding commitment to his community and in honor of the obligation he felt so deeply to give back. Tony was predeceased by his wife, Catherine; his parents; his older sister, Josephine; and his younger brothers Dominic and Rosario. He is survived by his son, Anthony N. Fusco, Jr, (Cathy); daughters, Josephine Vassallo (Frank) and Cheryl Staffieri; his beloved cousin in Italy, Luigi Cherico; grandchildren, Matthew Petruccelli (Meredith), Picara Vassallo, Andrea Coan, Frank Vassallo, IV (Christina), and Joseph Staffieri (Maria); great grandchildren Delphine, Julian, Everett, Giuseppe, Giuliana, Madalena, Sophia, Georgina, and Francesco; and, his loving partner, Patricia Johnson. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, June 21, from 10:00am to 12:30pm at Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 901 North DuPont Street, Wilmington, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated after the visitation at 12:45pm. Interment will be held at Cathedral Cemetery in Wilmington, DE.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Salesianum School (sals1903.org/Fusco or 1801 N. Broom Street, Wilmington, DE 19802), Ursuline Academy (1106 Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilmington DE 19806), or St. Mark's High School (2501 Pike Creek Road, Wilmington, DE 19808).
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