Anthony S. Santa Lucia

Anthony "Tony" Santa Lucia passed away peacefully at home after a short journey with pancreatic cancer on January 1st, 2026.
Tony was born on October 18, 1937, in Willimantic, Connecticut, to Carmelo and Mary (Ferrigno) Santa Lucia, who immigrated from Sicily in the early 1900s. A proud lifelong resident of Willimantic, Tony graduated from Windham High School and went on to serve in the United States Army, where he spent time in Germany.
Upon returning home, Tony answered a newspaper advertisement seeking firefighters at Pratt & Whitney, a decision that led him to a career of dedicated public service. He proudly served the community as a member of the Willimantic Fire Department for decades, retiring in 1992.
In 1960, Tony married the love of his life, Sheila (Mazzola) Santa Lucia, and they shared 55 years as a loving husband and wife. Together, they built a life centered on family, tradition, and shared passions; with three children, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Along with Sheila, Tony was a devoted basketball fan and longtime season ticket holder for the UConn Women's Basketball team. In addition to cheering on his kids and grandkids' sports with enthusiasm, he also coached the Firefighter's Little League baseball team and St. Mary's St. Joseph's School basketball team. Tony also faithfully followed the Boston Red Sox and the Green Bay Packers.
He was a lifelong parishioner of St Joseph's Church, where he helped take collections every Sunday for many years. More recently, Tony was able to receive communion at home.
Family summers were often spent on Cape Cod, where Tony and Sheila created cherished memories with their children and grandchildren-days filled with beach time, great food, mini golf, and togetherness. The two also shared a love of travel, enjoying many cruises as well as trips to Florida, Hawaii, and Italy.
In his later years, Tony found joy in life's simple pleasures: relaxing with a cigar on the porch, morning coffee at Bagel One with friends, and playing cards every Friday with buddies at the Elks.
Tony was predeceased by his beloved wife Sheila, his parents Carmelo and Mary, his brother Pip, and his sisters Lena and Lucy. He is survived by his daughters, Keely Santa Lucia and Lisa Nicoletti, and her husband Mark; his son Anthony Santa Lucia and his wife Emily; his five grandchildren, Chaz and Melissa Griffin, and Sarah, Matthew, and Jacob Nicoletti, and 4 great-grandchildren, Roman, Siena, Verona, and Nora.
Tony will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his service to his community and church, and the quiet moments he treasured most.
Tony's family is grateful to the wonderful caregivers and hospice team that provided support to Tony at home over the last several months. This gratitude is extended to those in the St. Joseph's Church community and Willimantic Fire Department who provided rides for Tony to church and to the Elks on Fridays.
Calling hours are January 8, 2026 from 5-7 pm at Bacon Funeral Home, 71 Prospect Street, Willimantic. A funeral mass will be held on January 9, at 10:00am at St. Joseph's Church, Willimantic. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery on Club Road in Windham.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Willimantic Fire Department Scholarship Fund. Contributions can be made by check to the Willimantic Firefighters Local 1033, 13 Bank Street, Willimantic, CT 06226. Please include "Rodman Scholarship" in the memo line. To send an online expression of sympathy, please visit www.baconfh.com