Vincent Carlo DeLusia

Vincent Carlo DeLusia, 79, Minneapolis, an Educator and Mentor, was a teacher by heart and storyteller by nature. He died peacefully on January 5, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lenore and Frederico, and sister, Lenore. His mother, a nurse, instilled the value of education, the principles of health and safety, and the recognition of quality in a well-constructed garment. His Trinidadian father, a former merchant marine, nurtured a global perspective, learning, appreciation of diversity, and the people-skills of entrepreneurial negotiations. Vincent learned storytelling and humor from his elders, sitting on the front porches and stoops of his Morris Park neighborhood in the Bronx with its diversity of Italian, Jewish, Irish, and African American families. He contracted polio in childhood during the 1948-1952 epidemic and worked hard throughout the rest of his life to maintain his fitness. He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School for Young Men (as did Regis Philbin, George Carlin, and Martin Scorsese), where he excelled and became a lifelong learner and responsible citizen. During the 1960’s, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University and two Master degrees from Columbia University, including an MBA; attended the renowned March on Washington, made famous for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech; as well as many civil rights meetings with historical figures most of us only read about. All of this made Vincent part of the world history he continued to study and teach throughout his lifetime. In 1973, Minneapolis community leader, Theartrice (T) Williams, connected through a friend, encouraged Vincent to make a move to Minneapolis with his MBA degree. He braved the westward journey from New York and started his career at General Mills and then International Multifoods. Within a few years he left the business world to work at the University of Minnesota as an administrator in the Education Career Development Office from 1975-1983. T. Williams then hired him as assistant director in the housing division of the Minneapolis Community Development Agency. He later started his own consulting business DeLon Associates, using his degrees in International Affairs, History, and Business, which led him to adjunct teaching at Minneapolis Community College, eventually becoming full time faculty teaching some business courses but primarily history courses until his retirement. His life was dedicated to promoting education as a ticket to rise both personally and professionally. An awarded member of the Minnesota Alliance of Black School Educator and the Sons of Bransford, he mentored countless students at during his twenty-plus years at Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC). His storytelling and ability to connect with his students was remarkable. He understood food could be a great inclusive denominator and his annual international potluck project was always well received. Vincent also developed and advised the “Heroes Club” at MCTC, for helping to build character and leadership skills in African American students. He did further outreach though Mankato State University’s Pan-African conference, presentations at Hamline University, and programming at Penumbra Theatre Company that promoted the history and culture of African Americans–all with a youth focus. His generosity for supporting his students’ success and spirit was significant and unparalleled. In additional to education, he appreciated great food and dining experiences, with special affection for Christos and Cov. Music was a cherished part of Vincent’s life, from taking drum and guitar lessons, to listening to Cuban rhythms. He enjoyed nights at the Dakota Jazz Club, or just singing a variety of songs—from folk tunes to Doo Wop—learned on the front stoops of the old neighborhood. He was fond of drives around town and in the country, and found many interests her enjoyed from dogs, birds, flower gardens, baking (as a Minnesota State Fair ribbon winner), reading about a variety of subjects including Celtic Studies, and having long conversations sitting on a bench on a sunny day. He served as a tour guide at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, for the African and Pacific Island collections, and served with the Restorative Justice Action Committee, to support and shift the choices and circumstances of others to a more positive and hopeful future. His lifelong legacy impacts the world through his students and their ability to pay-it-forward and help future generations rise through education and opportunities. He is survived by his wife, Jeanene; nephew, Neil; niece, Angelique; great nieces and nephews; and cousin, Connie. He will be deeply missed by family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and former students. Perhaps each of us can sit on our porch, or a park bench and sing a little song. He will be listening. A celebration of Vincent’s life will be held at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Sunday, March 26, 2023 at 11 am to 2 pm. Interment of Vincent’s ashes, along side his mother and father, will take place in New York City.

Vincent Carlo DeLusia

March 25, 1943 - January 5, 2023