Anthony De Luca

1943 - 2023

Anthony De Luca
09/03/2023
Anthony "Tony" De Luca passed away peacefully on September 3, 2023 in Melbourne, FL, at the age of 79, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife, Rita, of 58 years, who selflessly took care of him until his death, his son Vincent (Julie), his daughter Lorella (Jeff), his 3 grandchildren Kaelyn, Lorenzo and Vincent, his sister Philomena, his brother Paul, his sister Nisida and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Mary.
Tony was born in Fondi, Italy, to Vincenzo and Loreta De Luca. In search of a better life, they moved to the United States when Tony was 13. He attended Danbury schools and graduated from Danbury High School. He went on to serve in the Air Force for 4 years. During this time, he met the love of his life, Rita, on a visit to Italy and shortly after, they married in Italy and started their life together in Caribou ME, where he was stationed, and they welcomed their first child, Vincent. After Tony retired from the Air Force, he moved his family to Danbury, CT, where he continued his life of service as a firefighter for the city and they welcomed their daughter, Lorella. Always the provider, Tony worked in local machine shops on his days off from the firehouse. Tony was a motorcycle enthusiast and loved to spend his free time going for rides. He was also an avid hunter and skeet shooter. You could also find him fishing on Candlewood Lake whether in water or through ice. Once he retired to Florida, he started following NASCAR and would often be found having an animated conversation with his son about a race. Living close to the ocean, Tony developed a passion for surf fishing. He learned how to make custom fishing rods which he shared with family and friends. On rainy days, or in his quiet time, Tony loved to hunker down with a good book which led him to his computer where he proudly authored the thriller "Déjà Vu" which he saw published and sold!
Tony liked to travel with his wife when possible, celebrating their 25th anniversary in Hawaii, taking a 2-week Perillo tour through Italy, cruising to the Caribbean with their cousins from Italy, and returning to Connecticut and Italy to visit family. He and Rita also took the trip of a lifetime to Australia to reconnect with family members he hadn't seen in 50 years.
To list all the family and friends Tony leaves behind would be an impossible task. But the family would like to thank everyone, from CT to FL to Italy to Australia, for checking in and sending their love. It is heartwarming to know that Tony was loved by so many.
A visitation gathering for Anthony will be held Monday, September 11, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Life Event Center At Florida Memorial, 5950 S. US Highway 1, Rockledge, FL 32955, followed by a funeral service from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.