Real estate powerhouse, Delaware philanthropist dies peacefully at 93
Just days away from his 94th birthday, Anthony Fusco Sr. died peacefully in Wilmington.
The Italian immigrant, U.S. Navy veteran and Delaware real estate powerhouse will be remembered as a "builder," his family writes in an obituary this week, following his death on June 14. That's not a builder of homes — but lasting structures like family, relationships, communities and legacies.
Fusco founded Fusco Management in 1965, setting the stage for one of the largest real estate portfolios in New Castle County. With that and community partnerships, he soon became a major philanthropist. He has made millions in cornerstone commitments to St. Anthony’s Church, Padua Academy, Nemours Children’s Hospital, the Delaware Art Museum, Salesianum School, Ursuline Academy, St. Edmond’s Academy, Saint Mark’s High School and Delaware Military Academy. The list goes on.
"We extend our prayers and deepest condolences to the family of Anthony N. Fusco, Sr. and to all those who join us in mourning his passing," wrote Padua Academy, in memoriam, Tuesday. "Anthony's contributions were instrumental during the construction of our building, a space that has since benefitted over 8,000 alumnae and students."
Just last year, he announced a $10 million donation to Salesianum School for its Fusco Fields sports complex coming in Wilmington. It joins the same figure from the Tony Fusco and the Anthony & Catherine Fusco Charitable Foundation to support Sallies' endowment fund in 2014, as well as some $2.5 million to support Delaware Military Academy and its Anthony N. Fusco Sr. Athletic & Academic Center.
He received the Rev. Roberto Balducelli Appreciation Award in 2017, according to his obituary, for this "unyielding commitment" to his community.
"If you look up philanthropist in the dictionary, it has a picture of Tony," Gov. John Carney wrote in a thread on X Wednesday afternoon. "He generously donated to organizations that benefited thousands of Delaware families."
Remembering Anthony Fusco
Far before that, Fusco was born in Castel Morrone, Italy, just outside Naples.
His family made the move to the United States through Ellis Island when he was just 2 years old, according to his obituary. They would then settle in Wilmington's Little Italy neighborhood.
Fusco grew up in Delaware, eventually attending Wilmington High School. Just before graduation, he enlisted in the Navy. Upon an honorable discharge, he came back to Wilmington and married Catherine Rapuano in 1953. The pair stayed married for 49 years until her death in 2002.
The family man is survived by his son, Anthony N. Fusco Jr. (Cathy); daughters Josephine Vassallo (Frank) and Cheryl Staffieri; his cousin in Italy, Luigi Chirico; grandchildren Matthew Petruccelli (Meredith), Picara Vassallo, Andrea Coan, Frank Vassallo IV (Christina) and Joseph Staffieri (Maria); great-grandchildren Delphine, Julian, Everett, Giuseppe, Giuliana, Madalena, Sophia, Georgina and Francesco; and his loving partner, Patricia Johnson.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 21 at Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Wilmington. A burial Mass will be celebrated after the visitation at 12:45 p.m., with interment at Cathedral Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family indicated donations can be made to Salesianum School, Ursuline Academy or Saint Mark's High.
Contact Kelly Powers at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on X @kpowers01.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Real estate powerhouse, Delaware philanthropist dies peacefully at 93
