On the morning of December 26, 2013, Lewis A. DeLuca passed away at home at the age of 59 from a long illness. A lifelong resident of Medford, he was the son of the late Louise (Ceddia) and Joseph DeLuca.
Lewis was a renowned hairdresser and stylist, and the owner of Lewis Anthony Designs, a thriving business he operated for over twenty years in Medford. He studied cosmetology at Medford High School and upon graduation in 1972, his natural talent embarked him on his long career path as an entrepreneur, building his reputation as not only a hairdresser, but an artist with exceptional skills in make-up and personal styling. A gifted visual artist, he sketched original fashion and costume designs and became fascinated with the craft of making bisque porcelain dolls. Self-taught, he created magnificent and fantastic dolls of mythical Greek goddesses, Hollywood screen legends and pop icons such as Cher, each an original creation, exquisitely painted and costumed by his hand. His dolls were always a sensation at award programs. He won 1st Place several times at the Topsfield Fair, the International Doll Art Show, Santa Fe, and was awarded the prestigious honor of Best Upcoming New Doll Artist from the International Ariel Award competition. He was an avid lover of film and had an extensive collection of classics and film noir.
He is survived by his brother Joseph DeLuca and his wife Deborah of NH, nephew Justin DeLuca, niece Kate DeLuca, grandnephew Atticus DeLuca, his loving cousins Maria R. Ceddia of Melrose, and Dr. Anthony F. Ceddia of PA. He has also left behind his beloved, lifelong friends Scarlett Bartlett, Barbara May, and Michael Mulcahy, and so many other family and friends who loved him.
A funeral mass will be celebrated in St. Clement Church, 71 Warner St., Medford on Thursday, January 16th at 10 AM. His interment will take place at the gravesite of his late mother in a private, family ceremony at Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford in late April. For those who would like to donate to a charity in remembrance of Lewis, please send a donation to the Kitty Connection, 6 Cudworth Street, Medford, MA 02155.