Peter C.DeLuca, Jr. of Franklin, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family, following a brief illness on Tuesday, December 6, 2016. He was the beloved husband of the late Rita M. (Brady) DeLuca for 56 years.
Born in South Boston, July 2nd 1930, he was the son of the late Peter C. DeLuca and Carmella R. (Cersosimo) DeLuca. Mr. DeLuca lived in Medfield and Dover for many years before moving to Spruce Pond Village of Franklin, with his wife, in 1986.
Peter graduated from South Boston High School Class of 1948. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University and a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Boston University. He also received a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Northeastern University. Peter was a member of The Society of Nuclear Medicine and held patents in Electro Optical and Mechanical applications.
He began his engineering career working at Baird Atomic of Bedford and Sylvania Electric Systems of Needham before venturing off in 1970 to start his own company, Cleon Corporation where he developed and patented a PET scanner. He later merged his company with Union Carbide, of which Peter became the president of Union Carbide Imaging Systems.
He is survived by his eight children; Diane & her husband Jim Turner of Myrtle Beach, SC, Peter J & his wife Cynthia DeLuca of Franklin, Denise Rivera of Franklin, Deborah & her husband John Scappaticci of Prospect Harbor, ME, Dorene & her husband Peter Zaun of West Burke, VT, Paul & his wife Marie DeLuca of Medfield, Dawn & her husband Greg Sims of Franklin, Patrick & his wife Jennifer DeLuca of Norfolk and nephew Steven DeLuca of Sherborn; 22 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and his beloved and devoted Scottish Terrier, Adi.
Peter was a communicant of St Mary’s Church in Franklin. He was a mentor to pre-release prisoners at the Norfolk County Correctional Center, Dedham through the Volunteers of America, since 2009. He was on the Board of Governors at Spruce Pond Village for 26 years, serving as Treasurer.
Peter was an avid reader, especially of Bill O’Reilley’s, book series. He enjoyed completing the New York Times Crossword puzzles and watching boxing matches, Patriots football games and Fox News.
But his greatest passion was sewing. He volunteered his time and talent sewing baptismal bibs for christenings at his parish and reupholstered the alter chairs at St Francis, in Boston for Cardinal Sean O’Malley. He made most of the draperies and chair covers at his home. He embroidered scarves, made coats, dresses and nursing uniforms for his daughters and Halloween costumes for his grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 4-8 p.m. Monday, December 12th in the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin, 131 Main St. Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com).
A funeral mass will be held at St Mary’s Church, 1 Church Square in Franklin on Tuesday, December 13th at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in St Mary’s Cemetery, Franklin.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to Seasons Hospice, One Edgewater Dr., Suite 103, Norwood, MA 02062.