Michael Dominic DeLuca (1938 – 2026)
Michael Dominic DeLuca passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026, at Lowell General Hospital after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family. He was 87 years old.
Born in Waltham on December 14, 1938, Michael was the third child of Biagio Raffaele (Ralph) and Philomena (Demetrio) DeLuca. He grew up in a vibrant, large household on Maplewood Street in Watertown alongside his four siblings, his paternal grandfather, and many aunts and uncles. Michael attended Sacred Heart School through the 8th grade before attending Newton Technical High School, where he learned the trade of carpentry.
In 1954, while in high school, Michael met his future wife, Licia Alberico, at the Golden Cookie factory in East Watertown. Licia had recently immigrated to the United States from Roccacaramanico, Italy. Their meeting began a lifelong journey; they were married at Sacred Heart Church on September 12, 1959. Together for over 70 years and married for 66, they raised four children: Rose, Michael, Robert, and James. After starting their family in Watertown, they moved to Tewksbury in 1973.
Michael’s life was defined by hard work and a deep sense of duty. He worked as a cabinet maker and at Lewis-Shepard before dedicating 36 years to the Massachusetts National Guard. Retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1998, Michael was highly respected for his leadership at the Camp Curtis Guild firing range in Reading/Wakefield. He took great pride in his work with local law enforcement agencies and amassed a cherished collection of patches from the many agencies he assisted over the years.
A true craftsman, Michael loved home carpentry projects and spent countless hours in his workshop making toys for his grandchildren. He was also a passionate gardener, known for his expansive fruit and vegetable gardens. In his younger years, he enjoyed regular card games with his brother Tom, brother-in-law Bill, and Uncle Romeo. An avid Red Sox fan, he never missed a chance to cheer on his team. He was a long-time, faithful member of St. William Catholic Church in Tewksbury.
He was the devoted father of Rose Boland and her late husband Wayne of Marlborough; Michael DeLuca and his wife Emily of Lowell; Robert DeLuca and his wife Jennifer of Amherst, NH; and James DeLuca and his wife Ellen of Andover. He was the proud grandfather of Joseph, Courtenay, David Michael, Craig, David Robert, Massimiliano, and Fabiana, and he cherished family members Liliana and Sofia Sampieri.
Michael is survived by his siblings Ralph DeLuca and his wife Doreen of Woodland Hills, CA, John DeLuca and his partner Gene Pesce of Orlando, FL, and Rose DeLuca of Burlington. He was predeceased by his brothers Thomas and Anthony DeLuca.
Service Information:
• Calling Hours: Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury.
• Funeral Procession will begin Friday, March 6, at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by the
Funeral Mass: at 10:30 a.m. at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main Street (Rte. 38), Tewksbury.
• Interment: Following the Mass at Saint Mary Cemetery, 90 River Rd, Tewksbury.