Patrick Del Duca

In un’epoca in cui ogni momento della nostra vita viene fissato in immagini che poi si postano sui social network oppure rimangono negli album dei nostri cellulari, ho scoperto che dell’ultima volta che ho incontrato Patrick e Maria Grazia non ho neanche una foto. Erano venuti a trovarci nella nostra casa di campagna, alla fine del loro viaggio in Italia che facevano ogni anno d’estate Lì per lì mi sono molto dispiaciuta, poi ho pensato che quando siamo stati insieme abbiamo passato giornate e momenti così piacevoli, chiacchierando, passeggiando, mangiando e ridendo, che evidentemente nessuno di noi ha pensato di interrompere quello che stavamo facendo per metterci in posa e scattare una foto. Del resto con Maria Grazia, che io considero da sempre la mia migliore amica, è sempre stato così: possiamo stare lontane per anni, non sentirci per mesi, ma poi quando ci rivediamo o ci risentiamo è come se non fosse passato nemmeno un giorno. Non c’è bisogno di una foto per ricordare una persona, e per me il ricordo di Patrick è molto nitido. In tutti questi anni, non ci siamo incontrati tantissime volte e di certo non posso dire di averlo conosciuto a fondo. Però, penso a lui come una persona estremamente colta ma simpaticissimo, brillante ma non invadente, pronto a dare una mano ma senza imporsi, spiritoso e mai offensivo. E poi ero ammirata di come parlava l’italiano con una proprietà di linguaggio assolutamente perfetta. L’impressione che ho di lui è di una persona che rideva con gli occhi e quando ti guardava sapevi che aveva capito tante cose anche non dette. Poi negli ultimi anni, parlando con Maria Grazia di come lui stava affrontando la sua malattia, ho capito che Patrick era un guerriero, con una gran voglia di lottare e di vivere e continuare la sua vita senza lasciarsi condizionare dalla sua malattia. Un guerriero buono e sorridente. Ciao Patrick, il vuoto che lasci è incolmabile! Ed è molto difficile confortare il dolore di Maria Grazia e Zacary perché ogni parola sembra inutile e priva di significato e perché non abbiamo neanche la possibilità di abbracciarli forte forte per farci carico di un po’ di quel dolore. Eppure, anche se siamo così lontani, cari Maria Grazia e Zacary, vi prego di credere che Fausto ed io vi siamo molto molto vicini con tutto il nostro affetto e che Patrick sarà sempre vivo nei nostri pensieri e presente nelle nostre preghiere. Ci stringiamo a voi oggi sperando di potere avere presto la possibilità di rivedervi. Noli e Fausto

This picture is from a lunch at Patrick and Maria-Grazia's house in September 2019. They invited me, my husband, and my son Zenzo (in the picture) at their beautiful house in Santa Monica. Patrick took great pride in his cooking; rightfully so, he was a great cook! He made the best apple pie last time we had dinner at their house about 4 months ago. You will be greatly missed Patrick.

I consider it an honor and a privilege to have been a friend of Patrick’s for 50 plus years. It was in the 1960’s that the Houston’s and the Del Duca’s became friends through, I believe, my mother (Maj-Britt) and Frances, during the time period that my mother had her store (La Boutique) in Carlisle, selling women’s clothing and Swedish gifts and glassware. Patrick and I were high school classmates and it was during those high school years that Patrick and I really got to know each other. I fondly remember the many cold winter nights that we would go night skiing at Ski Roundtop, our local ski area, with Lou treating all to pizza at The Pizza House restaurant on our way home. Patrick and I would often ride the ski lift together and, although I don’t recall the specifics of our conversations, he always wanted to hear about my interests. He had a thirst for knowledge in a variety of subject areas that I always admired. This is evident from his many professional and academic degrees. But, even before that, and before he settled on the law as his focus in life, the awards he received in high school reveal just how varied his interests were. On the occasion of this week’s 45th anniversary of our high school graduation, I located the pamphlet from our commencement and wish to share the following awards Patrick received: Latin Student Award; Carlisle Area Science Advisory Committee - Gold Medal; Carlisle Area Science Fair Awards - First Prize - Botany; Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science - Region IV Award; V.F.W. History Prize - First Place; Alumni Association Prize - First Prize; and National Merit Scholarship - Semi-Finalist and Finalist. Notably, Patrick was also a commencement speaker with the theme being centered on this quote from S. I. Hayakawa: “The end product of education, yours and mine and everybody’s, is the total pattern of reactions and possible reactions we have inside ourselves.” Patrick lived his life well and I am so glad that I was a friend. Barbara and I wish to extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to Maria-Grazia, Zachary, Frances, Maureen, and Kevin.

Patrick was such a special person – brilliant, kind, generous and a had a wonderful sense of humor. And yes, he loved color! We remember that he said he painted their house on Bryn Mawr in the palette of a particular Van Gogh painting he admired but he decided to reverse the colors! And when he and Maria Grazia decided to remodel their kitchen in red and green it sounded startling! But sure enough – it ended up being beautiful! He was truly special in so many ways and we will miss him more than we can say. Sending much love Betty and Bruce

Joe, Rita and I will always remember Patrick's kindness, sharp intellect, sweet smile, his love for his wife and son, for life, food, music and friends. It was lovely that he came with Maria Grazia to the graduation party of our daughter in Marina del Rey. Patrick was a man full of rare qualities and a very nice friend. We miss him already, but he will live forever in our memories and hearts.

Patrick Del Duca, participatd as an alum on our Latin American and Caribbean Initiative Law Council (LAC Council) for the ABA. Patrick was our supporter and our friend. Patrick was an amazing, delightful, brilliant, and dedicated lawyer. Patrick cared so much about the ABA, and was a major contributor to the Section of International Law, ROLI and especially the LAC Council. Patrick always had something important, insightful and interesting to say about our work and he was passionate about the Rule of Law. Patrick will be sorely missed. Godspeed, our friend. May you find the peace that you pursued for so many.

With my parents, Stefano and Patrizia, and sisters, Camilla and Sofia, I would like to express our warmest condolences to Patrick’s Family. We are very close to Maria Grazia, Zac and Frances. We keep good memories of his kindness. My sister Sofia and I really appreciated his support in giving us precious advice. We will be always grateful to Patrick and missing him very much. Giovanni, Stefano, Patrizia, Camilla and Sofia Marchiafava Rome, 8 June 2020

I met Patrick in 1995 and we worked together with Italian Institute di Cultura. I have always had great respect for Patrick's knowlege and his professional excellence. We developed a friendship over the years and I had the opportunity to work with his team the last couple of years. I will always cherish his wit and humor and our friendship.

I met Patrick only once, several years ago in California, with his mother and father. We had a memorable conversation. I was impressed with his passion, intellect, and global experiences. Very sorry for the family to lose him so young.

Maria Grazia, my sincere condolences. I knew Patrick since our early years together at O'Melveny. He was a joy to work with -- so intelligent and so kind. I'm very sadden by his death. My wife and I have included him in our daily prayers. Dan Mansueto

Dearest Patrick, you will be dearly missed, but your impact lives on. As your former associate and recent client, I can barely find words valiant enough to capture how grateful I am for your time and extraordinary guidance. You are a model for the kind of lawyer and man I strive to be. Your mastery of law practice was like no other, coupling the best of academic book smarts with practical street smarts. You spoke calmly and carried a big stick. The stick was your vast encyclopedia of knowledge, swung with a quick wit. It was spellbinding to watch you handle the most fascinating cross-border cases. You made it look easy. You were a talented teacher. You always set the bar sky high, pushing me and other associates to take on challenging matters, explore creative strategies, and deliver the most excellent results for our clients. Your detailed redlines and brutally honest feedback made many associates like me feel timid walking into your office, yet enlightened walking out. Most memorable of all is your big heart. I remember when my friend’s father tragically fell into a coma, you encouraged me to take online CLE’s about healthcare and conservatorship laws, an entirely new area for me, and spent many hours of the night helping me craft detailed legal advice; yet, when his health worsened, you instructed me to return the retainer to my friend and count our hours pro bono. Later when I went in-house for one of the firm's clients, I would ask your help on complex cases ranging from international transactions to cybersecurity. It always put a proud smile on my face to hear your confident voice and know I have the best of the best legal masterminds backing me. When you visited my office earlier this year and complimented me in front of our new executive officer, it meant the world to me. Your departure is a colossal loss not only for the law firm you helped build, but the entire legal world. My heart goes out to your family, friends, and colleagues all over the world. Rest in peace and may God uplift your soul as you uplifted so many of us.

Patrick asked me to help him on a matter for one of his very good clients. Even though I was a less experienced attorney than Patrick, he trusted my advice and always let the client know that he really valued my opinions and skills. I gained his client's trust largely because Patrick spoke so highly of me. Patrick believed it was important to train and mentor younger attorneys and he was so skilled at it. He was never too busy to take the time to teach. It was an honor working with him. Patrick truly was a kind, thoughtful person of great integrity and Zuber Lawer & Del Duca won't be the same without him. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.

I am Kevin Del Duca. My brother Patrick was born six years before me in Carlisle Pennsylvania. We lived on South Street until I was three years old and then we moved to College Street where my mother lives now.. I have 1000 stories to tell about growing up with Patrick Del Duca! I definitely remember his house out by Echo Lake, Los Angeles... So very cool, so very brilliant, cutting edge! That’s what I thought of his decor. Patrick died brave and with God. I am on Facebook...kevin OftheDuke