Luigi Oronzio

Luigi “Louie” Oronzio, age 20, of Newark, DE, peacefully passed away and gained his angel wings on the morning of Wednesday, April 27, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.

Louie was born on February 15, 2002, beloved son of Anita Vattilana Oronzio and Gabriel Oronzio III. Louie attended North Star Elementary, H.B. DuPont Middle School, St. John the Beloved for religious education, and graduated from Delaware Military Academy High School Class of 2020. He was currently attending the University of Delaware majoring in Landscape Architecture with aspirations of Entrepreneurship.

From a little boy to young adulthood, Louie aspired to be the best and never settled for less from his athletic abilities to his academic achievements. He pushed every limit. Louie started playing sports at the age of 3 at the YMCA baseball/basketball programs, continuing baseball for Piedmont leagues, middle school baseball/basketball, St. John CYM basketball/football and onto high school playing JV basketball, Varsity football and Varsity baseball. Louie gave 100% at all times while at the same time lifting up his teammates when they needed that extra encouragement. He received many awards in high school including the Cadet of the Month Award for Honor, Courtesy and Duty; Shining Seahawk Award for Academics, Respect, and Kindness; Distinguished Honor Roll and was crowned Homecoming King of his Senior Class of 2020.

Louie was a kind, compassionate, respectful, selfless young man, making friends wherever he would go. His bright smile would light up a room and he never thought twice about lending a helping hand, giving supportive words of encouragement and compliments, and providing his shoulder to lean on.

Louie will continue to do his good work and give of himself selflessly on this earth as an organ donor to the Gift of Life Program. Louie is able to save six lives and we take comfort in knowing that Louie’s beautiful heart and strong body will give hope to many men, women and children who are in need of a life-saving transplant.

He loved family gatherings, watching and attending Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, 76ers, DMA and UD sporting/school events, hanging out with his brothers and friends, listening to all genres of music, even recording a few rap songs of his own. And, of course, there was nothing he loved more than MomMom Vattilana’s Italian cooking.

Louie will be dearly missed by his devoted and loving parents; his brothers, Gabriel IV and Domenic; grandparents, Anna Vattilana, Frances and James Hackman, Gabriel Jr. and Maryanne Oronzio; his uncles and aunts, Joseph Vattilana and Julie LeBlanc, John Oronzio, Christopher Oronzio; his cousins, Alexis Vattilana Craig, Antonio Vattilana; and many second cousins and extended family.

He was predeceased by his grandfather and namesake, Luigi Vattilana; and his great-grandparents, Herbert and Gladys Davis and Walter Wyatt.

Family and friends are welcome for visitation on Monday, May 9, 2022 from 4PM-8PM at St. John the Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 11am. A brief period of visitation for those that are unable to attend on Monday evening will take place from 10AM-10:30AM on Tuesday prior to mass. Entombment will immediately follow in All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Luigi Oronzio may be made to DMA Athletics Association, 112 Middleboro Rd., Wilmington, DE 19804.

The Oronzio family would like to thank relatives and friends for their love, prayers and support during this time and a special thank you to the Christiana Hospital ICU nurses, doctors and staff for the loving care they provided for Louie.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Luigi Oronzio, please visit our floral store.