Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Mrs. DeLucas, Tammy, and Kim,
Please accept my deepest condolences on your loss. Coach DeLucas didn’t only develop football players; he prioritized developing young men as good citizens. Like my teammates Nick and Tom, I fondly recall the Thursday night spaghetti dinners at your home. I was always honored and blessed when I was invited. Those meals always started with Coach leading a prayer. It was clear by his words and actions that he was not only a good man, but a good Christian man, father, husband, friend, and coach. That was reflected in the great family that he headed.
Coach was a great role model and had a very positive impact on my life. His belief in me led to many more years of playing football, and then later coaching youth football. More importantly, the self-confidence and work ethic that he played a big part in instilling in me made me a better person and carried into other parts of my life. Thank you, Coach!
Lots of good memories…
When I went for my driver’s test in Berlin, I went with Coach in the Driver’s Ed car. He gave me some pointers ahead of time and I’ll always remember that he was part of my big day. I also remember the white VW Beetle that he drove. He got in an accident in the summer and continued to drive it to weight training while it was still damaged. We ribbed him by calling him “A.J. DeLucas,” comparing him jokingly with race car driver A.J. Foyt!
I was in Coach’s homeroom my Junior year. If I got in after the bell, especially in-season, well, let’s just say – it wasn’t good for me! We were on split sessions, going to school early, then lunch, then practice. Long days. Occasionally, some of us would doze briefly during the chalkboard sessions. One day, this happened to me. We were going over blocking assignments and Coach, in his deep voice, shouted, “Tony Sulpizio, what’s your assignment on this?” That woke me up, I recognized the play on the board, and answered the question quickly and correctly. “Lucky this time,” he replied!
Coach DeLucas’ playbooks included a page of life advice. One tidbit I remember was, “Choose a date who would make a good mate!” He truly cared about his players.
I remember the day that Coach walked into the cafeteria while I was eating lunch to personally deliver my varsity jersey. It came with a strong handshake and words of encouragement.
I am blessed to have known Tony DeLucas as my coach, mentor, and friend. Please be consoled with the knowledge that he touched so many lives in so many positive ways. May he rest in the Peace of Christ. May God bless you all. You are in my prayers.
Tony Sulpizio WTHS ‘76
