Longtime Western PA State Rep. Tony DeLuca Dies

PENN HILLS, PA — Democratic state Rep. Tony DeLuca, the state House's longest-serving member,died Sunday at home. He was 85.

Mr. DeLuca had been battling lymphoma.

House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia said in a statement that the House has "lost a giant."

"Representative Tony DeLuca was the state House’s advocated tirelessly for his constituents in Allegheny County for nearly forty years," she said.

"As longtime chairman of the House Insurance Committee, he was a leader in improving access to health care for countless Pennsylvanians by steering insurance programs like CHIP and Pennie through the legislature. He recognized the importance of the work we undertake in Harrisburg and its impact on people’s lives and was a staunch champion of legislative transparency and the professionalism of our institution.

"He served as a mentor to younger members and will be sorely missed by his colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus, the entire legislative community, and his friends and neighbors in Allegheny County."

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said Mr. DeLuca's work ethic " was rewarded election after election as the people of his district knew he was always working for them. His annual picnic in Penn Hills Park was always a highlight of the political season and was attended by governors, U.S. Senators, and national and statewide figures."

Mr. DeLuca represented the 32nd Legislative District, which includes Penn Hills, Verona, most of Plum and Oakmont. He was elected to the House in 1983.

A Penn Hills resident for more than 60 years, he spent five years as a Penn Hills councilman and two years as Penn Hills deputy mayor before running for the House and defeating a Republican incumbent.

Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced.

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