Al DeLucia

Al DeLucia was born to Frank DeLucia and Mary DeCarlo DeLucia in Rochester, NY on July 2, 1923. Al's extended family was deeply involved in the nearby Church of the Annunciation. During school, he worked as a farm worker and then a lithographer. As a hobby, Al and his brother Anthony became licensed by the FCC as ham radio operators, communicating with others throughout the world.
When Al joined the Army during World War II, his excellent proficiency with Morse code earned him assignment to training as a radio operator. While undergoing Army training at Hamilton College in Clinton, NY, Al met Felicia Barbara Lopata. They were married in 1943 in a loving relationship that lasted for over 79 years. Al adored his lovely wife, and he was lucky enough to share his life with her until the time of his death.
Al served as a Lieutenant with the Army Air Corps at an air base in Kunming, China, sometimes making the perilous flight over the Himalaya Mountains into India. Following the war, Al regularly gave financial assistance to a Salesian mission serving a community afflicted with leprosy in Chetpet, India. Upon returning home from the war, Al served as a lieutenant with the NY National Guard. He took advantage of the educational benefits in the GI Bill, and got his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, with concentrates in physics and mathematics, at Hamilton College, and then earned his Master's Degree at Syracuse University.
Al was a professor of chemistry at Utica College until 1951, when he joined Federal Intelligence at the Rome Air Development Center (RADC) at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, NY. As an information scientist in the Intelligence and Surveillance group, Al was eventually promoted to become the Division Chief of that department. He was willing to defy conventional wisdom and speak truth to power to enhance the national security of the country he loved. Al was involved in information processing, including satellite and spy plane imaging, during several critical moments during the Cold War, including during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
After 23 years of world-wide travel with his job at RADC, Al joined the Diplomatic Corps in 1974, stationed at the US Embassy in The Hague, Holland. Al was an Operations Research Analyst for NATO, stationed at the technical center for the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers in Europe (SHAPE) in The Hague. Al and his family travelled throughout Europe, appreciating the cultures of many nations. While living in Europe, Al volunteered time to teach English to children in Soviet-occupied Poland. After five years in Europe, Al returned to RADC until his retirement seven years later.
Beside his home parish in Rochester, Al had been a member of the parishes of St. Mary's in Clinton, Holy Trinity in Utica, St. John the Evangelist, in New Hartford and the Utica College Newman Center. Al was active with the Knights of Columbus, the Holy Name Society and the Voice of the Faithful. Al was a member of the American Association of Information Sciences and the SHAPE Staff Officer's Association. Al annually volunteered his time to work with Elder Hostel at Hamilton College.
Al was pre-deceased by his son Thomas, and they are likely enjoying a beer together at this moment. He is survived by his wife Felicia, his daughters Virginia Donohue (John), Nancy Essadiq, Deborah Peters (Greg) and Laurie Cortney (Tom) and his sons Paul DeLucia (Cindy) and David DeLucia. Al and Felicia have eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Al would never spend money on himself unless the activity included his wife or his family of nine. His family enjoyed a full life of travel, camping, exposure to the arts, and visiting historic sites. His many descendants try to emulate his example of honesty, altruism, community enhancement and generosity. While Al was typically the smartest person in the room, he was always humble, thoughtful, and selfless. This kind man will be missed by many, and is being reunited with many more.
Contributions can be made to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on June 28, 2025 at St. Mary's Church. 47 Syracuse St., Baldwinsville, NY 13027
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