About Anthony Phoenix Branca
Anthony was born Dec. 7, 1994, just months after his older brother Alex went to sleep one night and never woke up. His father Demetrius and mother Lora learned they were expecting him the Mother’s Day before he was born, just one week before losing his sibling. This growing life would give them the strength to pick up the pieces after enduring such a devastating loss. They chose Phoenix as his middle name as a symbol of the hope and rebirth his life signified.
Anthony’s life was cut short on Nov. 7, 2014, exactly one month before his 20th birthday. He was hit and killed by a distracted driver while traveling from work to class at a community college. Everybody who met Anthony liked him; all who got to know him, loved him. Now his parents are on a mission to get common-sense, hands-free laws passed in Florida so others do not have their families ripped apart by a preventable tragedy.
Life Story
Anthony was both ordinary and extra-ordinary. If you met Anthony, you liked him. If you knew Anthony, you loved him. Because one cannot encapsulate Anthony’s existence into a simple biography and still give it the justice it deserves, we felt it fitting to take you on a journey of Anthony’s monumental life events through photos, videos, and stories…
Anthony was born at Eglin Air Force Base hospital in Ft.Walton Beach, Florida on December 7th, 1994 at 9:21PM.
Anthony decided at a young age that he wanted to try a number of different sports. He always set a personal goal for himself during his sport activities and for tee-ball it was to “hit a home run”. Ultimately, he achieved his goal but at the end of the season…Read More
The moment nine year old Anthony was told that he was going to be a big brother, he jumped into his dad’s arms, wrapped his own arms around his dad’s neck and hugged as tightly as he could. He asked several times, “really?” and then began rattling off questions. He…Read More
At ten years old, Anthony decided to go by a different name. When his dad rejected his suggestion that his soon to be born sibling should be named Bob (regardless of gender), Anthony responded by saying; “Well, if you’re not going to use it then I will. Hi, I’m Bob.”…Read More
Bob joined the Cross-Country team at Cobb Middle School in 8th grade. His political and cross-country careers were ended abruptly at the last meet of the season. As he was approaching the finish-line, Bob playfully used an inappropriate hand gesture to indicate his dissatisfaction towards a fellow student’s snarky comment.
In 7th grade, Bob ran for Student Body Vice President. He lost because the ballot had been printed with his given name rather than the name he was known by. Having learned from the mistakes of the previous year, Bob petitioned the administration to print the name he was known by…Read More
Anthony enjoyed playing soccer, and played on various recreational teams throughout his life. One game, as a field player, Anthony scored a hat trick (three goals in one game!)
Anthony’s parents are not the only parents who love their child. In fact, the mother of Anthony’s best friend loves him like he is one of her own. That’s how he ended up in her family portraits!
Anthony learned to drive on the desolate roads around his grandparent’s neighborhood in his Dad’s Chrysler Sebring convertible.
In 2011, when Anthony was a Senior at Leon High School, the female choir (The Melodears) selected him to be their “gent”. The main role of this position was to woo the ladies with attention and gifts of affection. Rising to the occasion, Anthony bestowed his love the only way he…Read More
Anthony heard about the breakdancing club at Leon High School and immediately wanted to join. The practiced a bunch of times and then gave a stellar performance during the Pep Rally.
Dear Mr. Epting, Why are pajama pants prohibited in school? Upon looking into the code of conduct i received within my agenda book at the start of the year, I see that every mention of clothing that is prohibited there is a reason, or the reason is implied, such as…Read More
For his senior economics class, Anthony chose to create a video explaining the importance of investment diversification. While other students may have taken a more conventional approach to the subject, Anthony chose to explain it the way Anthony explains things; by getting into character and taking us all on an…Read More
Anthony hounded his dad from a young age to get a dog. For years, Anthony touted the virtues of dog ownership and promised that he would be a trustworthy dog owner. In March of 2012, after visiting the local animal shelter and playing with a devilishly cute puppy, Anthony and…Read More
There has never been assigned seating at the dinner table in the Branca household. So on an otherwise normal evening, when there was a mild dispute regarding who would sit in which chair, Anthony settled the matter as only he could. He gathered seat cushions from around the table, stacked…Read More
Anthony graduated from Leon High School with honors in May of 2013. Graduation was a personal milestone for Anthony that signified an open door to the rest of the world.
Anthony became fascinated with martial arts later in his teen years. He learned as much as he could on his own, and after doing fairly extensive research, he located a martial arts school that could teach him the specific style of Kung-Fu he wanted to learn. Much to his disappointment…Read More
By: Andy Alcock A 19 year old man has died after a Comcast van hit his motorcycle. Tallahassee Police investigators have identified the victim as Anthony Branca. The driver of the van has been identified as 25 year old Jeffery Massey. The crash took place Friday as both vehicles were…Read More
When Anthony got his driver’s license, he made the decision to become an organ & tissue donor. He knew that if something should ever happen to him, he wanted his body to help save others. It’s a selfless decision that we’re so proud he made. Receiving letters from Anthony’s recipients…Read More
The Anthony Phoenix Branca Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness on the consequences of distracted driving. We’re on a mission to educate drivers, save lives, and end this deadly epidemic. In addition to anti-distracted driving initiatives, the APB Foundation seeks to strengthen the local community through charity and outreach, while…Read More
When Anthony was a senior, he wrote this letter to his friend Chloe, a freshman. The idea to write a letter came from Chloe’s English teacher, who invited upperclassman to write personal letters to freshman. The teacher would hold those letters and deliver them when the freshman had reached the…Read More
Dear Donor Family, A special thank you to you for the generous gift of tissue for my cervical neck fusion. It provided me with the hope of being able to again enjoy gardening, fishing, and golf. I was told I might not be able to walk if I didn’t have…Read More
Dear Donor Family, I am writing to say thank you for the generous and caring gift of tissue donation from your loved one. I am sorry for you loss but I would like to tell you what a positive impact your decision has had on my life. I hope you…Read More
Dear Donor Family, I am writing this letter to the family of the very special person that has donated a part of their body that has changed my life. I am able to walk without tripping or falling, and may be allowed to go back to a job I love.…Read More
Camp Warrior (formally Camp Indian Springs) has dedicated their main pavilion in honor of Anthony. Anthony was a camp counselor at Camp Indian Springs and loved having fun with campers, singing songs, dancing, and adding his charm to any situation. Current and future campers will gather in this pavilion to share…Read More
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Mission
The Anthony Phoenix Branca Foundation was founded in 2015 by Demetrius Branca after his son, 19-year-old Anthony, was killed by a distracted driver. The foundation is dedicated to raising awareness of the consequences of distracted driving. Its mission is to educate drivers, save lives, and end this deadly epidemic.
Support
We have an incredible base of volunteers that cherished Anthony, as well as people whose lives were forever impacted by Demetrius’s distracted driving presentation at their schools. We also leverage a network of safe driving advocates across the state of Florida. Your support helps us reach more legislators and more young and future drivers.
