Tony DeLuca, Longtime Pennsylvania State Lawmaker, Dies at 85

Beth BreljeOctober 10, 2022

DeLuca was the oldest, longest-serving member of the state’s House of Representatives

Pennsylvania state Rep. Anthony M. “Tony” DeLuca died on Oct. 9 at his Penn Hills home after a brief battle with lymphoma, a disease he had beaten two times previously, the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus has announced.

At 85, DeLuca was the oldest and longest-serving member of the state’s House of Representatives.

The Democratic lawmaker held the seat for 39 years, the longest state House tenure in Pennsylvania history. He represented the 32nd District, comprising the communities of Penn Hills Township—where he lived for more than 60 years—Verona Borough, the majority of Plum Borough and—as a result of the recent legislative redistricting—Oakmont Borough, all of which are in Allegheny County.

DeLuca was the ranking Democrat on the House Insurance Committee for more than 20 years. After his first lymphoma diagnosis and following his late wife Connie’s breast cancer diagnosis, he became an advocate for cancer awareness and early detection. He introduced legislation to increase funding for cancer research, better treatment procedures, and care following a diagnosis, the House Democrats said in a statement.

He was the prime sponsor of more than 100 pieces of legislation during just the 2021–22 session. In July, he advocated for suspending Pennsylvania’s 58-cent tax per gallon of gasoline until the end of 2022. In May, he proposed allowing schools to restrict student use of smartphones during the school day.

In 2018, DeLuca championed the Life Insurance Database Act to help Pennsylvanians learn if they were beneficiaries of a life insurance policy following a loved one’s death. The program has connected families with $5 million annually.

Commitment to Service

“DeLuca believed serving as a state representative was a full-time commitment both in the Capitol and in the district and did not have outside employment,” the House