Obituary of Louis B. DeLuca

Louis B. DeLuca, Sr., 79, of Harvard Avenue, passed away Sunday at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. His family was at his side. Born to the late Gaetano and Assunta DeLuca in Amsterdam on August 18, 1927, he attended Vrooman Avenue School and graduated as class president from Wilbur H. Lynch High School Class of 1945. For the past sixty-one years, he has served as president of the Alumni Association. He joined the US Navy after graduation and served in Sascho, Japan. He was recalled to serve in January 1950 for the Korean War, aboard ships guarding the US East Coast. On August 24, 1947, he married his high school sweetheart, Madaline A. Smith. Louis taught Graphic Arts at the local high school for twenty-three years and was involved with the VICA Club and many sports programs. Over the years, Lou helped many students gain employment in the printing industry. He was an honorary life member of Council 209 Knights of Columbus, and the Msgr. William A. Browne Assembly Fourth Degree and served as its first coordinator of the Columbiettes. At one time he was an usher at St. Michael?s Church and was a member of its Holy Name Society. Lou bowled with several leagues, and belonged to the Retired Teacher?s Association of Amsterdam, the Alliance of Retired Americans charter member, the Florida F.M.O. and New York State United Teachers. He also was a member of St. Stan?s Seniors. Lou and Madaline enjoyed spending the last twenty years in Florida, where they were active in tennis, walking and traveling with their senior group. They were members of St. Clement?s Church in Plant City and he was chairman of the banking committee for its Strawberry Festival. In addition to his beloved wife of fifty-nine years, he leaves his four sons, Louis B., Jr. and his wife Mary Louise of Rochester, New York, David J. and his wife Lois of Cohoes, Michael F. of Amsterdam and James J. and his wife Mary Ann of Glenville; grandchildren, Dr. Jason DeLuca of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Anthony and his wife Hilary of St. Cloud, Florida, Nicholas of Portsmouth, Virginia, Aaron and Daniel of Rochester, Richard of Cohoes, Christopher CJ of Glenville, Taryn of Clark?s Beach, New Zealand, Nikki of Glenville, Kaitlyn of Cohoes, Tyler of Glenville and Christian, Sebastian and Madaline of Amsterdam; brothers, P. Thomas, and John and his wife Mary Beth DeLuca of Amsterdam; a sister, Yolanda Rogers, a sister in law Rose Smith of Amsterdam; a brother in law, Frank Smith of Charleston, South Carolina; a special Godchild, Darren DeLuca of Amsterdam as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by sisters, Grace Passa and Johanna DeLuca; sister in law, Frances DeLuca and brothers in law, George A. and Robert Smith, Alfred Passa and Lewis Rogers. Services are Thursday at 8:15 am at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 9:15 am at St. Mary?s Church. Interment will take place with military honors at the Gerald B. H. Solomon National Cemetery in Schuylerville. Calling hours are Wednesday from 5-8 pm at the funeral home where the Knights of Columbus will conduct services at 6:30 pm. Contributions may be made to the Community Hospice of Amsterdam, or to St. Mary?s Church, both in care of the funeral home.