Mario Luke Charles Fusco

2/20/1971 – 1/23/2017

It is with a heavy heart…a beautiful, loving, kind and gentle soul was taken from us far too soon.

Mario Luke Charles Fusco, 45, was born to Diane & Mario Fusco in the Bronx, New York, on February 20, 1971.

The youngest of 3 siblings, he moved to Tucson in 1981 at the age of 11 with his mother and two sisters , Elizabeth and Diane, bringing his love of the newly formed dance craze, Break Dancing, with him from the Boogie-down Bronx.

Luke attended Holloway Elementary and continued his passion for dance all the way to his graduation from Amphitheater High School and beyond.

He pursued his passion of playing baseball, primarily as a third-baseman, then as a left-fielder, throughout his primary, secondary and post-secondary education, lettering in High School, among many other related athletic accolades.

A talented and naturally gifted athlete, he was also a pitcher with a mean fastball and a slugger who could easily knock the ball out of the park, especially for those in attendance who were there to watch him play.

Luke attended Pima Community College and continued to play ball where he received a full baseball scholarship to Western New Mexico University.

He met, and eventually married, his one true love Lisa, taking her son, Donavan, unconditionally as his own and under his wing.

Luke worked in the restaurant service industry for some years and became an avid Golfer along the way. He later changed vocations to work in the automotive industry as a car salesman; he loved people, talented and a natural, he was great at what he did.

During this time, Luke and Lisa welcomed their first child together, Anaya, into the world and shortly thereafter, were blessed again with the birth of Domenica.

Luke and his new family, who he referred to as his pride and joy, moved to Charlotte North Carolina to start anew where he successfully continued to work in the automotive industry as a salesman, finance manager, sales manager, and recently as a General Manager.

Always the ‘wise-guy’, Luke loved his Italian ancestry, especially the food, and only recently discovered his Métis heritage and tribal affiliation with the aboriginal people of the Great Plains of North America. He treasured the idea of being Native American, of which he was extremely proud of, excited to learn more about, and share with his friends.

Strong as a bull, always the protector and dressed to the nines, he was a GQ handsome kind of guy. Luke was a fashion forward trend setter with a magnetic personality and larger than life presence who always surrounded himself by the ones he loved.

He had a magical way about him that could light up a room filling it full of love, laughter and excitement with his quick wit, a smooth dance move and a charming grin…treating his friends like family without limit or condition…he was truly loved and admired by all he touched.

Luke sadly passed on January 23, 2017 in Charlotte North Carolina.

He is survived by his parents, Diane Fusco, Mario Fusco, eldest sisters, Elizabeth Fusco and Diane Dains, brother-in-law, Donald Dains, wife Lisa Fusco, son Donavan, daughters Anaya and Domenica, grandson Antonio, his ‘Main Crew & Brothers’, Aaron, Michael, JJ, Percy, Jeff, Mark, Victor and many-many more close and dear friends, who love him so.

A hard working man, beloved and devoted son, brother, cousin, husband, father, uncle, grandfather and friend, he was quick to laugh and loved to smile, was always the gentleman, a consummate professional…he was a beautiful one of a kind gentle and loving soul.

Luke was an all around nice guy and deeply loved by all.

Rest in Peace Luke, you will be truly missed.

May God bless your Heart and Soul, we love you...