SHELTON — Cara Tonucci has embarked on a journey to fight for those who are in the fight of their lives.
Tonucci, 40, is the daughter of the late state Rep. Vin Tonucci, the beloved Valley son who represented citizens of Ansonia and Derby for nearly two decades before he passed away after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer in July 2022.
In addition to losing her dad last year, Tonucci lost her best friend — her dog Lion — and also got divorced.
All the losses led to Tonucci losing some of her self-confidence. That was until she wandered into a gym in Shelton one day last year, and tried her hand at Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a type of martial arts that teaches self-defense.
“I did taekwondo when I was younger, but I didn’t stick with it,” Tonucci said. “With all the changes that were going on in my life, with losing my dad and my dog within two weeks of each other and getting divorced, and now being a single mom, I was looking for a way to get stronger physically and mentally. I wanted to do something to both protect myself and heal myself.”
Tonucci found the empowerment she needed through taking jiu-jitsu classes at Endure in Shelton. She also met a new group of friends who helped her cope with all the loss.
Tonucci said her dad was always into martial arts, and when he learned she got back into the sport, he was thrilled.
“Dad had just been diagnosed a few weeks before I started jiu-jitsu classes and he was so excited I was getting back into martial arts,” Tonucci said.
It wasn’t long after that when Vin Tonucci lost his fight with cancer.
To honor her dad’s memory and fight for those fighting cancer, Tonucci is participating in a nationwide “Tap Cancer Out” jiu-jitsu competition later this month. She’s hoping to raise $2,000, with all proceeds to benefit cancer research and awareness.
Tonucci’s fundraising campaign is dubbed “Tap Cancer Out for Vinny.” She’s going to compete with others during the Connecticut competition scheduled for 8 a.m. June 24 at the Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven.
Those interested in donating to Tonucci’s campaign can visit her fundraising page.
“So many people knew and loved my dad, so I’m doing this to try to keep his memory alive,” Tonucci said. “He was always my biggest cheerleader and my biggest supporter, and this is my way to honor him.”
Tonucci, a Shelton resident who is an assistant attorney general with State of Connecticut, said her two daughters, Alice, 3 and Teagan, 6, are also becoming hooked on martial arts, and are starting to take classes. Tonucci said her girls were the lights of her dad’s life.
“You’re never too young, or old, to start building self-confidence, self-esteem, discipline and empowerment,” Tonucci said.
As a yoga teacher, as well, Tonucci is planning to host a series of yoga/jiu-jitsu classes for women at Endure beginning in July. She encouraged people to check Endure’s website or Facebook page for information.
