Obituary of Robert L La Duca

Robert L. La Duca, age 66, of Tafton died Sunday, April 8, 2012 at home. Mr. La Duca was born August 28, 1945 in Bronx, NY and was the son of the late Nicholas and Margaret I. (Esposito) La Duca. He served with the US Army in Korea during the late 1960s. Bob was the current President of Hawley-Lake Wallenpaupack Lions Club. Known by everyone as "Uncle Bob", and famous for his thick white beard, he served as Santa for Hawley Winterfest, Santa Train Rides, local banks, churches and the Tafton Fire Company. Bob was a member of Tafton Fire Police and former First Lieutenant. He drove the ambulance and support truck for Tafton and was called "Bob the Driver". Before his retirement career of volunteering in the community, Bob ran a small business on Long Island, NY that provided installation of storage equipment for warehouses. Prior to that, he worked as a Dairy Manager for Key Food Supermarkets, where he met his wife Elizabeth in 1966. He diligently worked for years to support his family and put his children through top-notch colleges. Bob had a long love of cars and automotive repair. His first classic car was a '53 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 and his most recent car was a '55 Oldsmobile Holiday Hardtop. He was a member of the Empire State Car Club in New York and locally with the Coasters Club in Hamlin. In addition to cars, Bob was a 'Tinkerer'. If it was broken, Bob would try to fix it. If it wasn't broken, Bob would try to make it better. In his youth, Bob was a Sea Scout and continued the scouting tradition with his children and grandchildren. His financial support to Boy Scout Troop 129 and Cub Scout Pack 229 will continue by the campership fund being named in his memory. Although Bob grew up in a city environment, the highlight of each year was his summer camping experiences at Allegany State Park (NY), Keen Lake and other areas. He instilled this love of nature in his family. He is survived by his wife of 44 years: Elizabeth (Wall) La Duca; daughter & son-in-law: Natalia La Duca & Tom Lyckowski of Tafton, PA; one son: Robert L. La Duca, Jr. of Zeeland, MI; one sister: Anita La Duca of Kennesaw, GA; one brother: Nicholas La Duca, Jr. of Burke, VA; four grandsons: Anthony & Andrew La Duca and Sebastien & Xavier Aparicio; and kitten: Storm. Calling hours will be Monday, April 16th from 2 to 4 PM and 7 to 9 PM at Teeters' East Chapel, 505 Church St, Hawley, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, April 17th at 10 AM at BVM Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church, 314 Chestnut Ave, Hawley. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Paupack. Memorials may be made payable to Boy Scouts of America Troop 129, c/o Tom Field, 110 Bearview Dr., Greentown, PA 18426