2026 -- H 7260

========

LC004428

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE ANTHONY

DELUCA

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Craven, Chippendale, McEntee,
Potter, Kennedy, Hull, Fogarty, and Corvese

     Date Introduced: January 22, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this House has learned of the passing of the

Honorable Anthony DeLuca, a dedicated public servant who always had the courage of his

convictions to express his beliefs on contentious issues. He also served our nation with honor and

distinction as a member of the Rhode Island National Guard; and

     WHEREAS, Anthony DeLuca was born in Naples, Italy, the son of the late Alfonso and

Annunziata DeLuca. Mr. DeLuca emigrated to the United States at the age of nine with his

mother, brother Ciro and sister Anna to join their father in the United States, eventually settling in

Providence. Mr. DeLuca attended Holy Ghost grade school, Classical High School, the Rhode

Island School of Design, and Providence College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts and

Master’s Degrees; and

     WHEREAS, Anthony DeLuca was a well-admired educator who taught for over a

combined thirty years with the Cranston Public Schools. His distinguished career in education

began when he accepted a position at Cranston West High School to teach Italian and Spanish.

He later headed the Foreign Language Departments at both Cranston West High School and

Western Hills Middle School. Under Mr. DeLuca’s direction, guidance and leadership, both

programs received national recognition and accolades for their excellence. Mr. DeLuca was also

awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study Italian literature in Italy. Mr. DeLuca also taught at the

University of Rhode Island, Salve Regina University and Roger Williams University; and

     WHEREAS, Anthony DeLuca was also a distinguished public servant who always served

his constituents with passion and abiding integrity. He served on the Cranston City Council for

eight years and was elevated by the Council to serve as its Council President. Mr. DeLuca also

served for six years, from 1981 to 1986, as a member of the Rhode Island House of

Representatives from Cranston. Mr. DeLuca also acted as a delegate to the 2000 Democratic

National Convention; and

     WHEREAS, Anthony DeLuca, with his wife Sylvia, was a passionate supporter of same-

sex marriage equality and legislation in Rhode Island. Mr. DeLuca was a dedicated member of

Rhode Island Catholics for Marriage Equality, and testified in favor of the 2013 Rhode Island bill

that legalized same-sex marriage; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. DeLuca was also a man of great generosity and compassion who was

committed to helping others. He counseled young men in the Progress for Providence program

and coached high school football and golf. In his free time, Mr. DeLuca was a passionate student

of politics, a superb cook, an opera devotee, and a big fan of the New York Yankees and

Providence College Basketball; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. DeLuca is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sylvia DeLuca, his children

Anthony, Steven and his wife, Kim, and Luisa and her wife, Brenda Harvey. Mr. DeLuca also

leaves behind his twin sister Anna Spadetti, his brother-in-law John Mastrobuono and his wife,

Carole, his granddaughters Cara DeLuca and Talia DeLuca, and his nieces and nephews, Nancy

Courtemanche, Peter J. Spadetti, Stefanie Mastrobuono, Claudia Mastrobuono, Liza DeFedele,

Marc Mastrobuono, Jon Paul Mastrobuono, and Matt Fugere. Mr. DeLuca was the brother of the

late Ciro DeLuca, the son-in-law of the late John and Mary Mastrobuono, and the brother-in-law

of the late Peter A. Spadetti and of the late Paul Mastrobuono; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of the Honorable Anthony DeLuca; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Sylvia DeLuca and Family.

========

LC004428

========

LC004428 - Page 2 of 2