Tony DeLuca (politician) explained

Anthony M. DeLuca
State House:Pennsylvania
District:32nd
Term Start:January 4, 1983[1]
Term End:October 9, 2022
Predecessor:Albert Rasco
Successor:Joe McAndrew
Party:Democratic
Birth Date:June 3, 1937
Birth Place:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death Place:Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma Mater:Community College of Allegheny County
Children:4

Anthony M. DeLuca Sr. (June 3, 1937 – October 9, 2022) was an American politician of the Democratic Party. A longtime resident of the Pittsburgh suburb of Penn Hills, he was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 32nd District from 1983 until his death. Before being elected to the state legislature, he served on the Penn Hills City Council and was the town's deputy mayor.[2]

Early life

DeLuca was born on June 3, 1937,[3] in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh. He graduated from Westinghouse High School and Community College of Allegheny County. DeLuca became a co-owner of DeLuca's Market in East Liberty, which was opened by his father. DeLuca moved to Penn Hills in 1952.[4]

Career

In 1975, DeLuca was elected to the city council of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania.[5] The city council elected DeLuca to become the deputy mayor in 1978.[6]

DeLuca ran for mayor of Penn Hills against Phyllis Kernick in the election in 1979,[7] but lost the election.[8] DeLuca ran in a special election in March 1980 for Pennsylvania's 32nd Representative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, seeking to fill the remainder of Kernick's term, which she resigned when becoming mayor.[9] He lost the election to Republican Albert Rasco.[10]

In the 1982 general election, DeLuca ran again for the 32nd district in the Pennsylvania House, and he defeated Rasco in a rematch.[11] [12] Rasco challenged DeLuca again in 1984,[13] and DeLuca won reelection.[14]

DeLuca won election to the Pennsylvania House for 20 terms. At the time of his death, he was the longest serving member of the Pennsylvania House.[15] He was the top Democratic member on the House Insurance Committee for 20 years.[16] In 2022, DeLuca was reelected posthumously, triggering a special election.[17]

Personal life and death

DeLuca was inducted into Westinghouse High School's hall of fame in 1996.[18]

DeLuca and his wife, Constance, were married for 66 years until her death in 2021, and they had four children.[2] [19] Their son, Anthony Jr., was elected to serve as mayor of Penn Hills and as a magistrate judge.[20]

DeLuca died from lymphoma at his home on October 9, 2022, at the age of 85.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SESSION OF 1983 167TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 1 . Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Legislative Journal . Pennsylvania House of Representatives . 23 November 2022 . 2, 5 . PDF . January 4, 1983.
  2. News: Rep. Tony DeLuca Passes Away at 85. Ulrich. Steven. October 10, 2022. October 10, 2022. Politics PA.
  3. https://archives.house.state.pa.us/people/member-biography?ID=47 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives - Anthony M. DeLuca
  4. Web site: 22 Apr 1982, Page 97 . The Pittsburgh Press . Newspapers.com . April 22, 1982 . October 10, 2022.
  5. Web site: 5 Nov 1975, Page 12 . The Pittsburgh Press . Newspapers.com . November 5, 1975 . October 10, 2022.
  6. Web site: 4 Jan 1978, Page 16 . The Pittsburgh Press . Newspapers.com . January 4, 1978 . October 10, 2022.
  7. Web site: 19 Apr 1979, Page 65 . The Pittsburgh Press . Newspapers.com . April 19, 1979 . October 10, 2022.
  8. Web site: 16 May 1979, Page 3 . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Newspapers.com . May 16, 1979 . October 10, 2022.
  9. Web site: 5 Mar 1980, Page 3 . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Newspapers.com . March 5, 1980 . October 10, 2022.
  10. Web site: 20 May 1982, Page 92 . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Newspapers.com . May 20, 1982 . October 10, 2022.
  11. Web site: Clipping from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Newspapers.com . April 21, 2017 . October 10, 2022.
  12. Web site: 3 Nov 1982, Page 11 . The Pittsburgh Press . Newspapers.com . November 3, 1982 . October 10, 2022.
  13. Web site: 18 Oct 1984, Page 39 . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Newspapers.com . October 18, 1984 . October 10, 2022.
  14. Web site: 8 Nov 1984, Page 113 . The Pittsburgh Press . Newspapers.com . November 8, 1984 . October 10, 2022.
  15. Web site: Longtime Pa. state rep revered for his leadership on health care issues dies at age 85 . pennlive.com . January 7, 2022 . October 10, 2022.
  16. Web site: State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, the longest-serving member of Pa. House, has died after lymphoma fight.
  17. News: Pa. House races: DeLuca wins, triggering special election; several incumbent Democrats hold onto seats . 9 November 2022 . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . November 9, 2022.
  18. Web site: 13 May 1996, Page 13 . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Newspapers.com . May 13, 1996 . October 10, 2022.
  19. Web site: Constance M. "Connie" Deluca . CONSTANCE M. "CONNIE" DeLUCA . Pittsburgh Post Gazette . October 10, 2022.
  20. Web site: Former Penn Hills mayor to assume magistrate role after passing test on 2nd try. Archive.triblive.com . February 11, 2016 . October 10, 2022.