James DeLuca
James DeLuca, age 93, of Erie, passed peacefully on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at the Erie Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home with his children by his side.
Born in Erie on December 6, 1930, he was the son of the late Dominic and Concetta (Amendola) DeLuca.
Jim graduated from East High School and joined the Navy in 1948. He served on several ships as a cook until 1952. After serving, he held several jobs working for the railroad, in the tax assessment office at Erie City Hall, at Erie Resistors, and as a salesman for Sugardale Meats. He was a sheetmetal worker for many years but ultimately retired from the Erie County Prison as the Director of Maintenance in 1996. Jim could also frequently be found helping out at the family-owned store Al DeLuca’s State News and Variety Store at 5th and State, both in the store and maintaining the apartments in the building. He was interested in politics and ran for City Controller in 1969. He was also very involved with the Boys Club, Youth on a Misson, and served several positions including President of the Brothers Bowling Association. He also got awards for donating gallons of blood to the blood bank well into his 80’s.
Jim was a hard-working, charming and loving man who enjoyed spending time with his large family. You could often find him walking in the areas near 5th and State where every weekday, he would meet up with his buddies at the McDonald’s across from the Variety store for coffee and reminiscing. On the weekends, you could find Jim and his wife spending time with his 5 brothers and 5 sisters, playing cards, going out dancing, working on various projects at each other’s houses or generally just spending time together. There was not a stranger in Jim’s eyes and he touched many lives, and made many friends and acquaintances over the years.
Jim is preceded in death by his beautiful wife Dorothy, whom he was married to for 67 years; his brothers, Joe, Frank, Albert, Dick and Eddie; his sisters, Rose, Betty, Edith and Jane; his brothers-in-law, Ed, Paul, Mac and Chubby, and sisters-in-law, Mary and Lizzy.
He is survived by his children, Beverly Kraus (Tom), James Dominic, and Barbara Ziegler (Brian); his grandchildren, Bonnie Endres (Paul), Vikki Taylor (Greg), Tammie Kraus (Jade), Karly Ziegler (fiancé Josh), Cory Ziegler (Kristen); his great-grandchildren, Nikolai, Makayla, Alexis, Randi, Lila, Ashton and Weston; his sister, Lena, and sisters-in-law, Marge, Sally and Shirley, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend our deepest thanks to the staff, who have become family, at the Soldiers and Sailors Home, who provided unparalleled and loving care to Jim during the three years he was a resident, and also for taking care of Dorothy prior to her passing. There are not words to express how grateful we are to have had the support and loving care you gave to our dad, and to our family. In addition, a huge heartfelt thank you to Kristen and the staff at Aseracare Hospice for helping us through this very difficult journey and for the outstanding care you provided.
A Memorial Service for Jim will be held at a later date. If you would like to attend and honor his memory, please reach out to barbaraziegler.64@gmail.com for details.