Michael DeLuca

DeLUCA, MICHAEL JR., (MSG, US Marine Corps, Ret.), 88, formerly of North Providence, died October 29, 2012 at the RI Veterans Home. He was the husband of the late Elizabeth G. (Taylor) DeLuca. Born in Providence, he was a son of the late Michael and Maria (Spingel) DeLuca. Mr. DeLuca served with the US Marine Corps for 30 years during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, retiring as a Master Sergeant. He received numerous medals and awards, including three purple hearts. While in the Marine Corps, he also served as Chief of Communications in the Military Command Center for the late President John F. Kennedy. Following his service he worked for the former Notarantonio Ford of North Providence, followed by a career with Raytheon as a purchasing agent in Norwood, MA and finally as a foreign government liaison with the Patriot Missile Defense Systems of Raytheon in Waltham, MA for over 20 years, before retiring. He also worked for Burns Security at A.T. Cross. He was a life member of the Geneva Fire Co., the VFW, and the Kent County Detachment of the Marine Corps League. He leaves five children, Mary Borden and her husband Gregory of San Antonio, TX, Ernest DeLuca and his companion Christine Blais of the Forks, ME, Deborah Stravato and her husband Robert of Cranston, RI, Barbara Hitzges and her husband Kurt of San Antonio, TX and John DeLuca and his wife Christine of Chepachet, RI, five grandchildren and one great granddaughter. He was the brother of the late Edward, Eugene, and Albert DeLuca. Michael's funeral will be held Friday at 10 AM from the Robbins Funeral Home, 2251 Mineral Spring Ave, North Providence, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM in St. Anthony Church, 1413 Mineral Spring Ave. Burial will be in the RI Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. Calling Hours are Thursday 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, 370 7th Ave, Suite 1802, NY, NY 10001 or Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, 18251 Quantico Gateway Dr., Triangle, VA 22172.