Louis Charles DeLuca

Woodbury-

Louis C. DeLuca died July 28, 2023 at home after a short illness, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 17, 1933, to Charles (Cataldo) DeLuca and Mary (Russo) DeLuca in Everett, MA.

Lou graduated from Everett High School and from Northeastern University. In 1953, he married Alice V. (McLaughlin) DeLuca, who predeceased him in 2021. As a young man, he worked in his father’s neighborhood grocery store before joining American Greetings Corp as a junior salesman, working his way up through management, and retiring after 30 years. Lou and Alice moved to Wolcott, CT, in 1959, where his political life began as selectperson in the Democratic party. The family moved to Long Island in 1966, where after hearing William F. Buckley speak, he became a lifelong Republican. After relocating to Woodbury, CT, in 1972, Lou ran a successful campaign in the 32nd district for state senator, a position he held for 17 years, serving as Republican minority leader for 7 of those years as well as deputy majority leader for many years before that. He would tell you his greatest joy as a public servant was that it afforded him the privilege of helping both his constituents and others. Together with Senator Billy Ciotto and Rep. Anthony Amelio, he co-founded the Italian American Caucus, creating a bipartisan educational scholarship fund to promote the understanding of Italian American history and culture. In 1985, Lou and Alice established Village Cleaners & Irish Connections, an Irish clothing and specialty shop in Woodbury, for which they made many trips to Ireland over the years.

After retirement, Lou continued to serve in local politics as justice of the peace and town moderator. He was a member of the Republican Town Committee and of the Woodbury Lions Club, receiving its Melvin Jones Fellowship Award in 2015.  He was Director at High Watch Recovery, a member of Mensa, and served as lector at St. Theresa of Avila Church until his illness. In 2020, Lou and Alice received the Woodbury Rosenberg Award for community service, and the Woodbury Senior Center dedicated the Louis C. DeLuca Cafe to him in 2018. Lou was a devoted and loving caregiver to his wife Alice in her final years. He enjoyed his summers at the beach in Marshfield, MA, and although he never swam in the water, he loved spending time with friends and family in the sun. Lou was an avid poker player, UConn Women's basketball and Boston Red Sox fan. 

He will be greatly missed by his sisters Loretta Cunningham of Merrimack, NH, and Mary Murphy of Wilmington, MA, and his children Margaret O’Toole (John Ewald), Gayle Murphy (Tom Sessa), and Robert DeLuca. Lou was predeceased by his daughter Kathleen Hoyt and by his sister Angelina Lucker of Woburn, MA.

Lou was a proud grandfather to grandchildren Matt Ewald (Liz Keefe), Mollie Jurewicz (Jonathan Godwin), Mark Dumonski (Wendy), Lindsay Ewald (Ross Manley), Casey Colella (Mark), Bonnie Ewald (Arjun Majithia), Oliver Murphy, Dylan Ewald (Julia Maraczi), Jonathon Hoyt, Liam Hoyt and Isabella DeLuca. In addition, Lou leaves eleven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Lou will be remembered for his wit, generosity, guidance and leadership to his family and many friends.

Visitation will be Friday, August 4th from 4-8 pm at Munson Lovetere Funeral Home, located at 2 School Street in Woodbury, CT.

A funeral mass will take place at 11am on Saturday, August 5th at St. Teresa of Avila Church, located at 146 Main Street South in Woodbury. Burial will follow services at Old North Cemetery in Woodbury.

Donations in his memory can be made to Carolyn’s Place, Waterbury, CT.  and High Watch Recovery Center, Kent, CT.

To leave an online condolence please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.

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