Louis DeLuca, Former Connecticut GOP Senate Leader, Passes Away at 89 Years Old

• Connecticut mourns the loss of Louis DeLuca, the former GOP leader of the state Senate, who passed away at the age of 89.
• Barbara K. Perkinson, Woodbury First Selectman, expresses her admiration for DeLuca, describing him as a dedicated statesman who always prioritized the public’s best interests.
• DeLuca’s departure from the General Assembly in 2007 stemmed from his involvement in a controversial incident. It was alleged that he paid a trash hauler with suspected ties to organized crime to intimidate a man who was abusing his granddaughter.

Louis DeLuca, a former Republican leader of the Connecticut state Senate, respected for his 17 years of service in the General Assembly, has passed away at the age of 89.

DeLuca, after battling an extended illness, sadly passed away on Friday, as reported by the Waterbury Republican-American and Legacy.com.

DeLuca chose to leave the General Assembly in 2007 while facing scrutiny from his colleagues, who demanded that he surrender records related to a federal criminal case. During that time, DeLuca had already admitted guilt to charges revolving around his request for the assistance of a trash hauler with suspected ties to organized crime in dealing with the man he believed was abusing his granddaughter.

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DeLuca emphasized repeatedly that he did not betray the public’s trust, claiming that the issue at hand was a family matter.

“I firmly believe that my actions were intended to safeguard my family and protect them from the terrible scourge of domestic violence,” he stated upon announcing his resignation.

Connecticut state Sen. Louis DeLuca, the former state Senate Minority leader, emphasizes a point as he testifies before a special Senate committee at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, Connecticut, on Oct. 15, 2007. (AP Photo/Bob Child, File)

DeLuca, a fiscal conservative who championed environmental causes, was known for his willingness to find common ground with Democrats. He received both sympathy and recognition from his constituents for his legislative work and remained actively engaged in local politics in his hometown of Woodbury until his passing.

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Barbara K. Perkinson, Woodbury First Selectman, shared her personal connection to DeLuca and his family spanning over 50 years. She described him as an admired and dedicated statesman who always prioritized the public’s well-being.

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According to the Waterbury Republican-American, DeLuca received a standing ovation during his recent appearance at the Woodbury Republican Town Committee, just two weeks before his passing.