Thomas P. DeLucia

Thomas P. DeLucia, age 87, of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Wilmington, Tom was the son of the late Flora (Cavalli) and Thomas DeLucia. He was a 1952 graduate of Salesianum High School and earned associate degrees from Goldey-Beacom College and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. He served 6 years in the Army Reserves while initially starting his career in the Treasury Department of the DuPont Company. After 12 years, he daringly changed career paths to insurance for the remainder of his professional career spanning more than 37 years, ultimately becoming a Regional Sales Director for Franklin Life.

Giving back to his community and the high school that shaped his life was his true calling. Over the years, Tom was very generous with his time and passionate about his commitment to various local institutions. He loved coaching basketball for St Mary Magdalen, stepping in to coach kids at St. Paul’s, and supporting numerous local sporting activities. In addition to being an avid sports enthusiast, he served on numerous boards of directors, most notably past President of the Catholic Youth Organization, board member Catholic Social Services - Big Brothers of DE, board member Goodwill of Delaware, the Salesianum Alumni Association board and past President Wilmington West Rotary Club. Tom was an active member of St. Mary Magdalen Parish and Salesianum throughout his life.  Tom and his wife Pat established the Michael DeLucia Memorial Sportsmanship award in 1972 to recognize the senior Catholic high school football player(s) who best exemplify outstanding performance, attitude and character on and off the field.

In 1982, the Life Insurance Underwriters of New Castle County honored him with the Charles B. Palmer Memorial award for outstanding service to the community and insurance industry. He was selected for Goldey-Beacom’s Distinguished Alumni Gallery in 1983 and Salesianum School inducted him into the Alumni Hall of Fame for service to the school in 2007. In addition to numerous other notable insurance industry awards, Tom was also a past recipient of a Jefferson Award for local service to the community.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Michael and sisters, Gloria “Sis” Jamison and Pearl Ann Lawruk. Tom will be dearly missed by his wife ,Patricia (Dorris) of 63 years; his daughter, Karen Matweychuk and her husband, Michael of Wilmington, DE; his son, Kevin and his wife, Shannon (Maguire) of Hockessin, DE; 4 grandchildren, Colin, Liam, Ashlin and Aidan DeLucia; and many other family members and close friends. Tom had such a caring and compassionate spirit and a warmth about him that will be sorely missed by many.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at St Mary Magdalen Church, 7 Sharpley Rd., Wilmington, DE on Monday, November 29, 2021 at 11:30am. Family and friends may call at the church Monday morning from 9:30am to 11:30am. Entombment will be in Cathedral Cemetery, 2400 Lancaster Ave., Wilmington, DE.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Salesianum High School, 1801 N. Broom St., Wilmington, DE  19802 or St. Mary Magdalen School, 9 Sharpley Rd., Wilmington, DE  19803.

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