Luke Anthony Baccino

Luke Anthony Baccino passed peacefully from this world at home on May 28, 2016, surrounded by all his loving family. He was 3.

Lukes infectious smile brought joy and happiness to all who saw it, whether it was family in everyday visits or strangers at the mall or supermarket. No one could pass by Luke without returning a smile of their own. There was hardly ever a moment when Luke was not happy and smiling and ones day would always brighten upon just seeing him.

Luke had a wonderful sparkiness about him and would always tell you what was on his mind and what he wanted and when. Nothing held him back. His creativity and desire to be the center of attention was never clearer than when he choreographed his own dance routine while also singing along with his most cherished Frosty the Snowman singing Christmas card.

Luke made it into a video the Philadelphia Phillies recently posted on their Facebook page. Players Jerad Eickhoff and Peter Bourjos visited A. I. DuPont Hospital and Luke was there to offer Mr. Bourjos a sticker. He was so excited when Peter accepted it from him and put it on his jersey.

Some of Lukes favorite things to do were playing video games on the xbox; swinging on his swingset; his beginner gymnastics tumbling class; vacationing down the shore at Margate and going to the boardwalk at Ocean City, New Jersey; going to the park; walking with his family in their neighborhood; riding his bikes and scooters; sledding in the snow; pushing his play lawnmower while his Daddy used the real one until Daddy let him take one loop around the yard with him; and enjoying every single minute of every single day with his Mom. But what he loved most was waiting for his big brother Cole to come home from school so he could play with him. They really enjoyed playing on the xbox together and also playing two-player Minecraft on their iPads. Luke also cherished the time he spent with all his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Lukes unwavering strength was a hallmark of his brief but valiant battle with brain cancer. It was never more evident in his final days. Just a week before he passed, he enjoyed a nice evening with some neighbors, enjoying smores over a fire and running around. And the day he left the hospital for the last time, Luke insisted on walking out of the building instead of being carried out, despite being weak from the inordinate amount of medications in his body. Afterwards, while at home, he continued his desire to walk around, even if it was for only a few minutes. He was never going to be denied from what he wanted to do.

Lukes family would like to thank Dr. Andrew Walter, his team, and all the wonderful nurses at A. I. DuPont Hospital and Dr. Robert Lustig and all the wonderful nurses of the Roberts Proton Therapy Center at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. All the medical professionals who cared for Luke during his battle treated him so compassionately like a member of their own families and cannot be thanked enough for all they did for Luke and his family. Luke embraced his caretakers and the countless trips to the hospitals and actually looked forward to seeing them there.

Luke is survived by his parents, Nicholas and Melinda Baccino and brother Cole, of Landenberg; Godparents Erik West of Wilmington and Marilyn Baiardi of West Chester; grandparents Janet Baccino of Kennett Square; Linda Pizzini of Kennett Square; and Sonny and Gloria Pizzini of Landenberg; Uncle Ron Pizzini and his wife, Kathy, of Landenberg; Uncle Lee Pizzini and his wife, Joan, of Landenberg; and cousins R. J., Jacqueline, Nathan, Alexa, and Sara. He was predeceased by his grandfather Frank Baccino and his Aunt Jacqueline Baccino.

You are invited to visit with Lukes family and friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday evening, June 5, 2016, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, 250 W. State Street, Kennett Square, PA and again on Monday morning, June 6, 2016, at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church, 8910 Gap Newport Pike (Route 41), Avondale, PA, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Lukes funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in St. Patricks Cemetery, Route 82, Kennett Square, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation in Lukes memory to the Nemours Fund-Shands House, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803 (or call 302-651-4389 or visit http://www.nemours.org/givingtonemours/waystogive/rememberhonor.html) or the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation (CHOP Foundation), PO Box 781352, Philadelphia, PA 19178 (or call 215-590-1000 or visit http://www.chop.edu/giving/ways-to-give).

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com

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