Giulio "Johnny Duke" Gallucci, 81, of Hartford, husband of Helen (DiMauro) Gallucci for 64 years, died peacefully on Saturday, (March 4, 2006) after his last courageous fight with cancer. He was born in Hartford on Russell Street on May 18, 1924 and was the son of the late Teresins (Console) Gallucci Nesci and Luigi Gallucci. He was also the stepson of the late Frank Nesci. Duke was a professional boxer from 1941-1948, retiring with a record of 64 wins and 15 losses. He considered fighting in Madison Square Garden his greatest thrill. Duke began running the Bellevue Square Boys Club in 1959. He taught many Hartford youth how to box and stay out of trouble. He ran the gym and coached champions there for 37 years. Duke was a Commissioner of the Connecticut Boxing Commission. He was inducted into the National Golden Gloves Hall of Fame and recently into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame. Duke was employed by the City of Hartford, retiring after 37 years of service as an Ombudsman. Duke was predeceased by his parents and his brothers John "Bruno" Gale and Joe Gallucci. Besides his wife, Helen, who was also his childhood sweetheart, he is survived by his daughters and their husbands, Diana and David Guerrera, Nancy Gallucci and James Mullins and Helen and Edward Krawiec Jr. He also leaves his grandchildren, Sean Kallaugher and his wife Michelle and Jaclyn Krawiec; his great-grand daughter Sydney Kallaugher and his loyal longtime friend, Herbie Cox. Besides his many nieces and nephews, Duke also leaves his extended family from the Bellevue Square Boys Club and the countless lives he touched during his time with us. A very special thank you to the staff at Avery Heights for the care and compassion shown to Duke and his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick & St. Anthony Church, 285 Church Street, Hartford, Wednesday, March 8, at 10 a.m. Please go directly to the church. The burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Calling hours will be held at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield, on Tuesday from 1-3 and 5-8 p.m. Donations may be made to the Johnny Duke Memorial Fund, c/o Attorney John Gale, 363 Main Street, Hartford. This memorial fund is being established to continue Duke's legacy supporting Connecticut's amature boxers. For on line expressions of sympathy please visitwww.desopo.com