Photos by Scott H. Shook | June and Tony DeLucia stand next to the banner honoring Tony at the Marco YMCA.

City Manager Mike McNees reads an official proclamation honoring Tony DeLucia.

Rarely has the departure of anindividual affected so many on the island.A literal Whos Who of Marco Island came by to say goodbye to TonyDeLucia, the popular Marco YMCA Community Engagement specialist and Marco Police Department Community Relations officer on July 22 in the Ys front parking lot.

It seems only fitting that the wordcommunityis part ofDeLuciastitle at both the YMCA and the City of Marco Island.Through a seemingly endless list of functions thatDeluciahas lent his trademark voice to, he has become affectionately known asThe Voice of Marco Island.

City Manager Mike McNees made a special trip to the Marco Y to presentDeLuciawith an officialproclamation honoring his many contributions to the island.

As McNees read the proclamation to the assembled crowd, the list of functionsDeLuciahas contributed his voice and considerable efforts to seemed almost endless.

TheProclamation to Commend AnthonyDeLuciafor Community Servicerecognized him as theVoice of the Island for charitable causes.

Theproclamation mentioned thatDeLuciahas served as organizer, announcer, and stage manager in events including Tour de Marco, Mutts & Martinis, the Marco Island Car Show,the Marco Island Seafood and Music Festival, theSouper Bowl fundraiser, Island Rocks Concert, the Fire Foundations Chili Cookoff, the American Cancer Societys Relay for Life, Taste of Marco and theCivitan Pizza Party for Camp Able.

Of course,DeLuciawas also a fixture at sporting events and school functionsislandwide.He was even the ring announcer for boxing events.Infact,itwould beaccurate to say that it was unusual to attend an event on the islandthatDeLuciawasnota part of.And more often than not,DeLuciavolunteered his efforts.

When news ofDeLuciasreturn to his Northeast Ohio roots circulated through the community, many received the news withdisbelief and sadness.A reaction ofWhat are we going to do? was common.

The person most affected byDeLuciasdeparture, the Marco Ys CEO Cindy Love,delivered aheartfelt goodbye to the person she counted on.

Tony DeLucia enjoys a humorous moment provided by .

Youve done anenormous amount of work for our whole community, Love toldDeLuciain front of the crowd gathered at the Y.Youreirreplaceable.I dont know what were going to do.I think we all feel that way.Youre the C in Community, as they say.Youre calm, collected, you never get riled outsidemaybe inside, but not outside.Youre just that person that we all go to for all kinds of stuff.To be a bus driver, whatever it might be.You just jump in.You never say no to anybody.Thats probably why you work a million hours a week.We just really, really, thank you.Youre going to be missed more than youll ever know.

Love also recognized Tonys wife, JuneDeLucia, for all she does in the background to support both Tony and the Y.

Several individuals were happy to go on record with their appreciation ofDeLucia.

Tony has been the voice of Marco Island, said GeorgeAbounader, former longtimePrincipal and CEO of the Marco IslandCharter Middle School.Hes always there when you need him.Anytime we needed someone to either be a DJ and bring some music or be an emcee at an event, he was there.A lot of people know him from the seafood festival, because hes the voice all weekend on the microphone, announcing everything and organizing the bands that come to the seafood festival.Hes just alegend here on the island.Were going to miss him.Our loss is Ohios gain.Ohios going to be blessed to have him back.

Marco Island is going to miss Tony so much, said Linda Sandlin,President of the Rotary Club of Marco Island Noontime.He has given his talents, his treasures, to you name it, to every good cause on this island.And we all know him for his incredible talents that weve enjoyed so much.He makes every event more fun, more exciting, more successful.I want to especially thank Tony, who worked with me to put together the Flags for Heroes, which is a joint project between theRotaryClub of Marco Island Noontime and the YMCA to sell sponsorships for 5 x 7 American flags to fly on the bigvacant property by the YMCA.This project honors the heroes in your life. The heroes on our island, of which we have so many today.The money for the sponsorship, which is just $50 for the sponsorship of a flag foryour hero, will all go back to serve our communitys critical needs.So many of which the YMCA addresses.So Tony wasmyhero in organizing this event.He is an expert in events.Sowere going to miss him.

Linda and Alan Sandlin at Tony DeLucias retirement party.

TonyDeLuciawas a mainstay, said Val Simon,Publisher of the Coastal Breeze News.He emceed all the events.Tonys voice is well known in these parts for always being upbeat and engaging.Every organization came to rely on him.He is going to be greatly missed in this community.Tony, were hoping you hurry up and grow wings and come back as a snowbird.And, thank you for all youve done!

We told Tony what we wanted to do in the community and right away he offered to be the president of the club,said Nery Kircher of the Civitan Club.Nery and her husband Bob are the founders of the Marco Civitan Club.He has been very dedicated to the plans and programs weve had since 2014.Hes surely going to be missed.

PeterSottong, the YsHead ofMaintenance,delivered a humorous salute toDeLucia, whose radio name is Steve Reynolds.The two names sometimes cause a bit of confusion around the island.

Anthony, Steve, or Steven, Tony.One is true, the otherphony.Reynolds,DeLucia, Tony, Steve.One is real, one ismake-believe.Is this a man who has lost direction or just someone who has gone into witness protection?Were sorry that youre moving so farwell miss you, man,whoever you are.

Sottongmay be more well known as an artist.He creates replicas of the Key Marco Cat and ancient Calusa masks that are available for sale at the Marco Island Historical Society.

Tony DeLucia with his proclamation from the City of Marco Island.

WhenDeLuciatook over the microphone, heimmediately recognized Cindy Love.

One person stands out in the crowd,DeLuciasaid, and thats Cindy LoveAbounader.She took a chance on me way back when.Other than my wife, shes the only other woman in my life I try not to disappoint.

DeLuciareflected on his time spent on Marco Island after the ceremony.

The Y gave me a nice thank you card, a nice goingaway present.I got some nice cards from people around the island.I wasrealsurprised to see bothpolice captains, the police chief, the fire chief, the head of the chamber.

Its been fun.I like to get involved in the community.My wife Junes got involved in theCivitan Club.She got involved in Relay for Life, Taste of Marco.

TheDeLuciasdecision to return home to Northeast Ohio, Youngstownspecifically, was a decision they wrestled with.

We had a lot of chats, June and I,DeLuciasaid.I miss myfamily;I miss my kids.My grandkids are getting bigger.

Im leaving on good terms.As simple as that.You do what you can, help out, have the best time of your life, make the most out of it and go on from there.Weve had a fun time here.Weve enjoyedourselves; weve enriched ourselves, made a lot of new friends, got involved inactivities and have some really nice memories. Its bittersweet.It really is.Were ready for the next chapter.Everybodys excited about us coming up north.The kids, the grandkids, my friends, Junes friends.

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Marco Honors "Voice of the Island" - coastalbreezenews.com