Obituary of Vincent James DeLuca Jr.

Vincent James DeLuca, 90, of Chester, NY entered into rest on Monday, September 23, 2024, at Saint Vincent's Complete Care, Cedar Grove, NJ. Vincent was born on June 1, 1934, in Brooklyn, NY to the late Vincent J. and the late Rebecca (Greenberg) DeLuca. He graduated from Boy's High School, Brooklyn, NY in 1952 and went on to study Geology at Brooklyn College graduating in 1956. While attending college he met and dated the love of his life, Josephine Amante. They married after graduation February 9, 1957. During his tenure at Brooklyn College Vincent entered Air Force ROTC with three of his best and most loving friends; Gene Tauches (deceased), Emilio (Mil) Biagioli, and Frank DeTrano (deceased). Vincent kept these friendships with all three individuals until The Good Lord called them home. Vincent entered into cadet Pilot training with the United States Air Force after college but was unable to complete his training due to a medical condition. Vincent transferred into the Air Force Intelligence community completing his military service at Bowling AFB, Washington D.C. achieving the rank of Captain in 1963. Vincent took Josephine and the family back to Chester, NY immediately after. He pursued a career in computer programming with Orange & Rockland Utilities retiring in 1998. Vincent was an active member of the Church of Saint John the Evangelist in Goshen, NY. He and Josephine implemented First Friday Eucharistic Adoration, which continues today. They also volunteered for food distribution in the community. He was a lector and an altar server at Mass. As an active member of The Knights of Columbus Council 1106, Vincent achieved the rank of Fourth Degree Knight. He was also a member of The Catholic War Veterans, Post 1923. Vincent, a staunch supporter of The Rite to Life, made it easy for him to actively work in the Local Chapter of The Rite to Life and the Life Chain participating in many of the National Right to Life Marches in Washington, DC. Vincent's love for his Country was paramount in his everyday life. He proudly flew the American Flag daily and was a staunch supporter of the Nation's Military. Vincent was best known by his family and closest friends for his uncanny ability to play the accordion. He had the privilege to study under the late and great Alfred d'Auberge during his early musical career. Vincent garnered the nickname "squeeze box" from his teenage friends which followed him into the twilight of his life. His loving grandchildren and great grandchildren have many loving memories of their "Papa" playing the accordion around the Christmas Tree during the Christmas Holidays. Vincent and Josephine's favorite past time was playing golf. He loved the game so fervently, that he even constructed a makeshift driving cage to practice when he could. He loved playing with his friends and even attended the 1968 Westchester Classic with his son, and the 1996 Masters at the Augusta National Golf Course. They traveled to Italy twice and enjoyed vacations at the beach with family. He loved to dance with his wife, daughter, daughters-in-law and granddaughters! He was a long-term member of the Washingtonville Central School District Board of Education for twelve years tirelessly working for the community. He is best known for his tenacity for life, his love for his family and his love of a good Italian meal! Vincent is survived by his children David and the late Colleen DeLuca of Sicklerville, NJ; Lauren and Bill Santos of Cornelius, NC; and Matthew and Marlene DeLuca of Glen Ridge, NJ. Also, his sister, Jerrilyn DeLuca, his in-laws Theresa Ponessa, John & Dee Amante, Salvatore & Jean Amante, and Francine Carmody. He is further survived by his thirteen grandchildren David Vincent DeLuca (Tami), Jennifer Cantrell, Jonathan DeLuca (Jennifer), Kathryn DeLuca, Sara Locantore (Jon), Alessondra Moser (Todd), Amanda Horvath (Daniel), Alyssa Santos, Andrew Santos (Stephanie), Anthony Santos, Madeline, Maia, and Matthew J. DeLuca. He is also survived by sixteen great grandchildren Victoria, Dominic, Zachary, Hannah, Emma Josephine, Analeis, Garrett, Sicily, Elizabeth, Oliver, Eleanora Colleen, Rhyder, Josefina, Sofia, Kennedy, and Joanna. Romans 13: 12-13 "The night has passed, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day." To all those that take the time to read this please understand that no Eulogy could ever be written that would withstand the power of the memories that the DeLuca Children, grandchildren and great grandchildren have of their dear Papa D. These memories have been etched into the souls of each and everyone of us over the course of a life time living with a man who held the love for his family dear to his heart. What follows is a compilation of memories these children have in the forefront of their minds and hearts when they think of their time spent with a man like Papa D: …May God rest the soul of my dear brother Vinny. He was always very loving and protective of his sister. He would often give me Christmas presents that showed that. One year he gave me a fire extinguisher for Christmas. Another time, he wanted to give me a rope ladder for my second-floor apartment window, but I convinced him not to. He came to visit me once when he was middle aged and showed up with a Van Dyke. I was so surprised, I laughed and laughed showing my disapproval and he said nothing in return. He didn't get angry, nor did he lash out over my reaction but accepted my disapproval with grace. Several weeks ago, while visiting him at his hospital side, I apologized to him for being so insensitive. I hope he understood me. I will love him 'til my last breath. Love Jerri …Mummum and Papa were visiting I had gotten the game Encore, so we were all playing. Papa refused and stood back eating cookies while the rest of us played. The word was Washington, and no one could come up w a song and right before the timer buzzed all of a sudden you hear from behind mom w a mouth full of cookie - George Washington Bridge. George Washington Washington bridge. Everyone laughed so hard. Love Jenn …Trying to pick A memory of Papa that holds a special place in my heart is just as difficult to pinpoint as it is to pick just one memory of Mummum that has a special place in my heart! After thinking about it for a few days I thought to myself; how about all the times Papa would lead us around the yard singing and marching as we raked the leaves, maybe the time we were on a hayride in NJ and he jumped on a cow, or at the Airshow at McGuire AFB Papa wandered around taking pics of all the planes and even some of the attendees! Maybe it should be the times that he and Mummum would visit, and he would sit at the top of the stairs and read to us. All those memories hold a special place and definitely describe the many great qualities of Papa but the one I hold the dearest is whenever we could make it home for Christmas no matter if it was 10pm or 2am, 30 degrees or 10 degrees, coming up the dark driveway and seeing the Christmas tree and lights through the living room window our Papa without fail would be there on the deck with a huge smile and waving as we came up the driveway… and not far behind him with lots of kisses and warm hugs was our Mummum ready and waiting to serve us hot minestrone or something just as delicious! The last is by far the best and most special memory of Mummum and Papa. Love Jonathan …I have too many memories with my sweet Papa D. Just a few of my favorite are … The DeLuca kids would visit Papa at work. We would meet him in his cafeteria for lunch— Papa always brought his briefcase in with him to eat. Us kiddos thought it was because he was a spy, but we learned many years later that his briefcase was how he carried his lunch to work! Papa would always read to us; he bought us a children's Bible and anytime he and Mummum were visiting, he would sit in the hallway between our rooms and read to us from it. One of my favorite pictures is of him reading my favorite Dr. Seuss book 'When Horton Hears a Who' to the four older kids at Christmas time. Papa had a deep love of music. He helped me learn to slow dance. Our song was Begin the Beguine by Johnny Mathis though we shared many favorites. I have so many fun memories of us spending time in the formal living room where Papa would play his accordion, and we would dance around singing and laughing. Papa would sometimes surprise us and tell us we were going for a drive which, always ended up either at Weirs for ice cream or the local school park. Sometimes it was both. One year when we were little, for some reason one of the brothers asked Papa if he could kick as high as the height of the Christmas tree. He said yes and kicked to show us. Because we were so little, it looked like he did! I remember my Mama laughing so hard at our astonishment. Every trip home at Christmas time we would ask Papa, can you still kick as high as the Christmas tree still, and he would try. Papa would pretend we were sneaking cookies together - it always felt so late at night, but it was probably only 8 pm … my love of a good chocolate chip cookie comes from him. Papa was always so baffled at how much Christmas wrapping paper there was after the Christmas morning festivities. He would always compliment how full the tree looked beforehand, but he always made us fold the paper to fit in the garbage bags more efficiently every Christmas Day afternoon. Making us salute him. Hey Vincenzo, his name's DeLuca, all he does-a is puke-a puke-a … "Whatcha gonna" do, Papa? I could go on forever (dad) … my heart misses him. Love Kate …I remember that Papa and Mum-mum would sing Happy Birthday in harmony every year. I still have some of those messages saved. I remember Papa did a reading at our wedding. He also always would make sure I would enunciate words. And when I am reading to my girls at night, I can hear him saying to enunciate. I remember them coming over for birthdays no matter how old we were. Love Amanda …When we first moved to NY, Papa and I used to have a game where we each had a dictionary, and he would give me different words and we would see who could find the word fastest. He didn't just let me win, and there were definitely hard words. But I remember enjoying that and laughing with him when I'd win. Love Alyssa …I remember when we used to visit around the holidays, Papa would bring his accordion out to play. It was always a big thing when this happened. We all gathered in the piano room and papa would set up the stand and once he started to play everyone would start to dance. This memory sticks out in my mind especially because of Mom. You and mom were always dancing… Another memory is how Papa LOVED the pan flute music he had. Again, this was always accompanied by dancing with everyone. Love Sara …My Grandfather was a man who cannot be summed up in a few short phrases. He was a kind, loving, talented, engaging, insightful, family man. Picking just one of these traits to talk about would unfold many stories. Throughout all the time I was able to spend with Papa, he never failed to surprise me. Sometimes you just never knew which side of Papa you would get. For a man of many facets, I feel incredibly privileged to have learned from him and to have laughed with him. You have to understand to know him, was to love him. I hesitate to choose just one moment in time that would even begin to pay homage to this incredibly smart and humble man. With that understanding, I hope these memories give a glimmer of his well-rounded character. To speak on his adventurous side, Papa disappeared at a family event where a bouncy house had been rented for the little kids. When there had been a lull in activities, it became apparent that Papa was missing. Until I, along with some other family members, turned that way just in time to see Papa come sliding down the slide of the bouncy house. He had waited to have a turn on his own just because he wanted to give it a try. To comment on his loving side, our family is very musically inclined, and I know it stemmed from my grandparents. Papa would play the songs my grandmother loved, and she would sing alone. Inspiring many impromptu family dance parties. They just had an amazing pull that would centralize our family time together. Even if it was over a meal shared, coffee and conversation, or playing cards. Whether or not Papa chose to participate in the ongoings around him, when it concerned his family, he would always involve himself by finding out what everyone was up to, that they were alright, and having a good time. I'm grateful for the length of time I was given to spend with my grandparents. I will always cherish the time I had with them and will keep them alive in my heart and through my memories. Love Alessondra …I have so many! running red lights in DC, him playing the accordion, the meticulous eye of Papa on Christmas morning with all the wrapping paper. It was really nice of him telling me he was proud of me a few years ago when I graduated the Q course after him being upset that I withdrew from college. Love Andrew …My favorite memory with Papa: On my first day of kindergarten, I was so excited to tell Mum-mum and Papa about my day and what I experienced that as soon as I got home, the first thing I did was call them to say, "I just got off the bus!" Unfortunately, they didn't answer but I went on about my day to create a voicemail that would last them for years. What's most memorable about this moment is Papa always impersonating me on the other end of the line always saying, "Hello Papa! I just got off the bus!" The voicemail lasted years even lasting through Papa getting a new answering machine and pleading with the company that he needed to transfer the voicemail to the new machine. I am beyond blessed that I was able to give them that happy voicemail to always brighten their day, and I will always cherish the joy in Papa reliving that memory with me time and time again. Love Anthony …My favorite memories of Papa are never the memories of being with him, not that those weren't wonderful, but my favorite were the phone calls. Where he would answer the phone and ask who was calling and when I told him who I was, you could hear the smile on his face in his voice when he would say "My Victoria!" It warmed my heart and will forever be my most favorite thing about him. No matter how long between calls, he was always excited to hear from you. Love Victoria …I thoroughly enjoyed my last visit on New Years. The whole family in the area gathered at the house and annoyed Mummum and Papa all day. As we were leaving, some of us convinced Mummum to get up out of her chair and dance with Papa. My last picture/video is the two of them dancing on the patio to Frank Sinatra. I remember their smiles more than I remember if it was cold or not. …Love Dominic …I would have to say that my favorite memory/memories with papa would have to be the times when I was able to visit him, he would teach me how to dance. We would dance in Mummum and Papas kitchen. I also loved hearing him play his accordion. He was a man of many talents ?? Love Hannah …There are too many memories to share in order to express how wonderful our Papa was, but not as many words to truly convey how strongly I feel. Papa was a gentleman, a comic, a soldier, a music man, a teacher, a Cookie Monster, a faithful man and a family man. That is how he stands when I picture him. The conversations I had with Papa I will carry dearly in my heart always, and the lessons he taught me will live forever in my mind. Most importantly, his memory will occupy my soul…until we meet again. I love you Papa D. Love Your Emma Josephine …For as long as I can remember, every time I saw Papa a smile would appear on my face. It is so hard to point out one particular memory when every memory I have of Papa brings me joy and comfort. Papa's words were wise, his smile was contagious, his actions were generous, his stories were adventurous, and most of all his love was genuine. I will forever cherish every moment I spent with Papa and every memory I have of him; forever carrying his love and spirit with me! I love you so very much Papa!! ?? Love Always, Analeis …A memory that I have of Papa is when he gifted me a very prized possession, a hairbrush that he got and used as a boy in the 1940s and 50s. On Christmas Morning, when I took the gift out of the bag, Papa told a story about it. He reminisced of how he got it, saying it was from Thailand, and what the brush meant to him. Papa told us that it was a high-quality brush because of the boar bristles. I guess I'll just have to live up to those high 'standards'... or at least my hair will! He had used it all his life and wanted to give it to someone he knew would take good care of it. He was upset to give the brush away, but I'm glad that whenever I go to brush my hair, I'll think of Papa. Love Matthew James Each man or woman is unique in the eyes of God. Papa was no different in as much as he knew the difference between right and wrong. He loved with a passion. He was from a different age that is now forgotten by most in this world today. The values he espoused and the sweat he spent on hard work providing for his family built and polished a character that any man or woman could follow in their own lifetime. Guaranteed, the Line of His people are far better off knowing and loving a man such as Papa. He was an endearing father and husband, son and brother, brother-in-law and patriarch and a man who, loved his Faith. His Faith grew as he aged and the example of his Love of Our Lord is the legacy which he passes down to his family. He touched all those dear to him in ways that will remain imprinted upon each one of us through our lives. Although we can never know the disposition of a soul after it departs this world, as it is only for The Good Lord to know this, Papa bore his suffering to the last with tenacity and fervor which outlined the strength of character we should emulate in our own lives. We miss you and pray for your dear departed soul. This good earth is much the poorer after your passing Papa D. It is truly "…A Valley of Tears!" Oblatio Sui "Take, O Lord, and receive all my Liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. Thou hast given me all that I am and all that I possess. I surrender it all to Thee, that Thou mayest dispose of it according to thy Will. Give me only Thy Love and Thy Grace; with these I will rich enough and will have no more to desire. Amen." Visitation will be Wednesday, October 2, 2024, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Thursday, October 3, 2024 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Donovan Funeral Home, 82 South Church Street, Goshen, NY 10924. A Mass of Christian burial to celebrate Vincent's life will be held at 10:15 a.m. on Friday, October 4, 2024, at the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, 71 Murray Avenue, Goshen, NY. Burial will follow in St. Columba Cemetery, Chester, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Vincent's name to The Catholic War Veterans at https://cwvhq.cwv.org/PublicInfo/Donations.aspx