A Tribute To Rosemarie DeLuca: The Matriarch Of A Dynasty

She was always so proud of her grandkids, even when it was tough to be.  Over the last year she kept telling me, “Vince, now that you’re getting famous, always remain humble, and watch out for those women because they are all going to want a piece of you.”. It was so touching for multiple reasons.

One, I’m not famous, semi famous, locally famous or even to the point where people know who the heck I am at my own day job.  And two, the women?  That just makes me laugh.  But in Grandma’s eyes, I was a superstar, a champion at life.  And just that encouragement helped with the 18 hour days and the long nights with little to no sleep.

I often said to myself, if Grandpa & Grandma can raise 8 kids on a postal carrier’s salary, then I can cover one more game this weekend or go another 3 months without a new pair of shoes, despite these ones having holes in them.  Always put your children first and yourself last, always!

She taught me how to sacrifice, she taught me how to be grateful.  She taught me that nothing comes easy but when you work for it, it is all that much sweeter. 

She never missed a birthday as there was always a card in the mail.  Even at 37 years old, I’d still get home and check that mailbox, sure enough, a card from Grandma every time.

It was tough because in her later years she couldn’t eaten Gluten, she’d get extremely sick if even a crumb touched the plate.  And yet, her favorite meal was breakfast. 

Now, she sits in heaven at the biggest breakfast table of them all, next to her son Peter who she lost in 2004, and daughter Josephine who she lost in 2010.  Eating piece of toast after piece of toast with butter!  And not the crappy kind either.

This incredible woman lost two children, as mentioned Peter and Josephine.  Twice in the last 15 years she had to bury adult children.  A horrible pain I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy, and yet, she remained the pillar of strength throughout it all.

My Grandma Rosemarie Deluca was so loving that she created a family based on God, love and family.  I had thought that was the only way of life.  It wasn’t until I got older and started going around other families that I realized that wasn’t always the case.  Far from it in certain areas. 

Again, she accepted every one of every walk of life.  It didn’t matter if you had two dollars in your pocket, or 200,000, she was going to love you and treat you like a king.