Paul Anthony De Luca

Paul Anthony De Luca 

Paul Anthony De Luca, 51, passed away on March 7th, 2023 in Nassau, The Bahamas, where he lived with his wife, Kristen Brochu. He was a treasured husband, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend. He is gone from our lives too soon, but the memories we made together will be cherished forever. 

Paul was born on September 24, 1971 in North York to Filomena and Anthony De Luca, the second of three sons. Some of Paul’s defining features were evident early on, as an avid reader and good student, as well as a fierce friend. Paul’s close group of elementary and high school friends have stuck together throughout the years, remaining Brutti Porci for life. His university friends are also stock-still along his side. After graduating from Father Bressani High School, Paul went on to study biology at the University of Toronto Mississauga, where he discovered an enduring love of insects and teaching. He then went on to complete his Master’s degree at the University of Toronto Mississauga in 1997 and his PhD at the University of Missouri in 2007 studying the vibrational communication of katydids and treehoppers, respectively. He met Kristen in 2011 while conducting postdoctoral studies at the University of Toronto Scarborough on buzz pollination. They were married in a small ceremony in The Bahamas on June 5th 2021, and celebrated again one year later in Hamilton, surrounded by family and friends. 

Paul was dedicated to his career as an entomologist and professor. As much as he attempted a grumpy professor façade, his genuine caring for students and their learning was always clear, which made him beloved by his students wherever he taught, including in Canada, the United States, and The Bahamas. His love for the country, the people, and the ocean kept bringing Paul back to The Bahamas throughout his career, as an Assistant Professor at the University of the Bahamas and collaborator with the Bahamas National Trust. 

Paul was always authentically himself, whether that meant enjoying classic cars and hockey, or candle-making and poetry. His confidence and drive to pursue his dreams inspired those around him, but it was his sincerity and warmth that made people gravitate to him and become fast and loyal friends. Paul was one of the most even-keeled people you could ever hope to meet, which made him a great listener – and we all felt lucky that he would never turn down a drink and conversation with a friend. 

Paul is survived by his wife Kristen, his brothers and their wives John & Joanne and Peter & Michelle, his nieces and nephews Anthony, Jennifer, Jesse, Mena, Evan, & Ava, as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, other family, and many wonderful friends. He was predeceased by his parents. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Paul’s name to the Bahamas National Trust (https://bnt.bs/get-involved/donate/) to help protect and conserve the parks that he loved so dearly and where he spent so many happy hours. 

A visitation will be held at Westminster Funeral Home at 10am on Monday March 27th, 2023 followed by a service at 11am, which will be livestreamed , see link .https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=92351966-4142-43d7-a5a6-bab2dae58db7 A light lunch will be served after the service. Interment will take place at 2:00pm at Forest Lawn Mausoleum.