Frank E. DeLuca

1939 - 2016

Frank E. DeLuca

Frank DeLuca, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to many, has passed away.

He was born December 15, 1939 to Frank J. and Helen (Romanski) DeLuca in Akron, and moved to Ravenna in 1950 where he spent the rest of his life. He graduated from Ravenna High School, where he met and then married his high school sweetheart, Lucille (DeMaria), celebrating their 55th anniversary last June 4th. Frank and Lucille raised three amazing children, Suzanne (Bud) Broadbent of Ravenna, Dave (Sherri) DeLuca of Brentwood, Tenn., and Michael (Beth) DeLuca of Akron. Frank attended Heidelberg University, then returned to Ravenna to manage the Isaly's Company Ravenna Store. After several years at Isaly's, Frank left to work side-by-side with his parents at the well-known DeLuca's Bus Station on Main Street in Ravenna. There, he met and established many friendships and relationships, which were the building blocks for his future business.

He then obtained his real estate license and became a broker, starting his own business, DeLuca Associates, which he operated until the time of his passing. Frank had a great deal to be proud of, but his greatest joy was his loving family. He and Lucille never missed breakfast, lunch, dinner or Saturday night dates together.

He was so proud of his children and grandchildren - David and Julianne Broadbent, Chris, Michael, Nick and Sarah DeLuca. He never missed one of the grandchildren's major events, be it high school or college graduations. It was the dedication and love of Frank and Lucille that fueled the drive for all of their children and grandchildren to succeed, attend college and become professionals. Frank was a past president of the Ravenna Jaycees, and a member of the Ravenna Elks, Immaculate Conception Church of Ravenna, Ducks Unlimited and the Ohio Board of Realtors.

He will always provide a sense of joy to us and the memories that we share of him - his challenge with his neighbor to grow the biggest tomato (he loved to garden); he loved boating, waterskiing and fishing; trudging through the mud and snow to hunt with his sons, son-in-law and other family and friends; sitting on the beach or at the pool enjoying the warm sun; and doing laps in the pool or ocean (he was a great swimmer). Another of his favorite things to do was to watch The Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns football - always coaching from the couch with his "own playbook and clipboard". He has touched so many lives, and we have so much in which to be proud. There are so many memories that we will cherish forever.

Memorial calling hours will be from 9 a.m. until time of memorial mass at 11 a.m. Saturday, January, 16, 2016 at Immaculate Conception Church, 225 S. Sycamore Street, Ravenna, with Father Robert Miller officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the American Cancer Society, The Robinson Memorial Foundation or The Center of Hope. Arrangements have been entrusted to Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Home Ravenna Chapel.