Luca Attilio "Art" Fusco immigrated to the United States from Palermo, Sicily, at the age of four. He was born on March 2, 1931, to Eduardo and Edvige Fusco. After the death of his father, Art, along with his mother and sister, Angela Gioconda, moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where the family began rebuilding their lives.

The early years were difficult, and Art began working at the age of nine to help put food on the table. Though not always the best student in his early schooling, he found his stride in high school, particularly in science. After graduating, he was offered a position with DuPont but instead chose to work his way through college. Through determination and hard work, he earned a degree in chemistry with a minor in psychology before continuing his education at Case Western Reserve University to become a dentist.

Before entering dental school, Art was drafted into the U.S. Army and volunteered for airborne training. After completing jump school, he proudly joined the 101st Airborne Division. While stationed at Fort Campbell, Art suffered a serious parachute accident that resulted in a medical discharge. Doctors told him he would never walk again —an outcome he refused to accept. Through determination, a positive attitude, and a deep Christian faith, he not only walked but went on to outrun his children for many years.

In 1956, Art married his first wife, Ginny. In 1963, the couple moved to Arcadia, Florida, where Art began his residency at G. Pierce Wood Memorial Hospital. Two years later, he opened his dental practice, which became the first non-segregated doctor's office in DeSoto County. Art served the community faithfully for 55 years, often accepting little or no payment, sometimes receiving pies, baked goods, or even a chicken in gratitude from his patients. He finally retired at the remarkable age of 89.

Art was also a dedicated martial artist. He began training in jiu-jitsu in the early 1950s and later studied karate under Grandmaster Gene Cross and jiu-jitsu under Professor Wally Jay. Through years of practice, teaching, and innovation, he achieved the rank of 5th-degree black belt in karate and 8th-degree black belt in jiu-jitsu. His specialty was cane defense, and he greatly enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others.

The most important thing in Art's life was the people around him. He deeply loved his children from his marriage to Ginny and later enjoyed the family he gained through his relationship and subsequent marriage to Nancy in 2023, including her children. Art valued being surrounded by family. His generosity, his dedication to his patients, and his willingness to go the extra mile for others were hallmarks of his life.