The upcoming annual Columbus Day parade in the Morris Park section of the Bronx is set to honor a local advocate who has given back to her community through hard work, dedication and even some humor.
This Sunday’s parade, along Morris Park Avenue, will highlight longtime Bronxite Louise Delucia as the parade’s deputy grand marshal. DeLucia will serve as deputy to recently named grand marshal Michael Benedetto, the local state assembly member.
Born in the Bronx in 1959, DeLucia, who now calls nearby Westchester County home, grew up in Morris Park and went to St. Catharine Academy on Williamsbridge Road, while also attending Our Lady of Solace Church on Morris Park Avenue.
Also known to her friends, family and co-workers as “Lou Lou,” Delucia was the owner of a successful bridal shop called Gowns By Louise on Morris Park Avenue for 37 years, and continues her work at Virginia’s Bridal in White Plains — an industry which she considers her passion. She said that she’s even dressed the local Columbus Day parade’s Ms. Columbus for many years.
But Delucia, 64, also has a passion and appreciation for stand up comedy. She regularly performs at various charity events for causes in which she supports, which includes the fight against cancer.
She is also heavily involved in the organization Giving Friends, a Bronx-based nonprofit that supports children up to age 18 living in social service residences, working in unison with group founder Lynne Corry. Last month, Delucia hosted a Giving Friends event at Marina del Rey.
Delucia is also a frequent volunteer with Mary F. Clancy Charities, another organization that advocates for the underprivileged, and was recently honored at the Westchester Foundation for Autism.
“Putting smiles on other people’s faces is one great gift — you know that you’re making a difference in their lives and to see a smile on their face in return is the greatest reward,” she said.
She received a Citation of Merit from then-Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., in 2012, and was previously honored at the Bronx Columbus Day Parade in 2003.
“One of my all-time favorite movies is ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ and it really stayed with me when Dorthy said, ‘There’s no place like home’ — because home for me will always be the Bronx,” Delucia said referencing Judy Garland in the 1939 musical fantasy film.
“The Bronx is like my good bra — people in the Bronx are always there to support each other, lift each other up and will always be close to my heart,” she added.
Delucia says she aspires to get newer generations to participate in local events such as the Columbus Day parade, as well as being a role model for younger women in the community.
On being named deputy grand marshal, Delucia thanked her parents, family and friends and is dedicating this Columbus Day to her late dad who passed away in 2020, who she hopes will be marching in the sky. She said that her father was extremely proud every time he saw her being honored or when she was asked to stand up in front of a big crowd.
This year’s Bronx Columbus Day Parade, which began in 1977, according to the Morris Park BID, will take place on Oct. 8, starting at 10:30 a.m. at Morris Park and Barnes avenues. Food and t-shirts will be also be provided to those in attendance, according to local79.org.
Reach Steven Goodstein at sgoodstein@schnepsmedia.com or (718) 260-4561. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
