David V. DeLuca

July 2, 1942 - January 26, 2022

David Victor DeLuca

David DeLuca, loving husband, father and grandfather died suddenly on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 from complications following heart surgery. He was a scholar, musician, photographer, collegiate Hall of Fame athlete, and a well-known Rochester attorney for the past 53 years.

Predeceased by his parents, Carl & Arlene DeLuca of Gloversville, NY, David is survived by his wife of fifty two years, Susan Secrest DeLuca, his sons and their families, Michael, April & Lily DeLuca of Enfield, CT, Benton, Laurie, Ellie & Annie DeLuca of Hockessin, DE, and James, Sonya, Max & Dylan DeLuca of Napa, CA, his sister & brother in law Deanna DeLuca Goldstein & Dr. Earl Goldstein of Carlsbad, CA, his step mother in law, Camille Adams of Sarasota, FL,  nephews, cousins, and many friends.

David was born on July 2, 1942 in Gloversville, NY. He graduated from Williston Academy, Brown University and Syracuse University College of Law. He was a practicing attorney in Rochester for 53 years, and continued to enjoy going into his office every day. The highlight of many of his days was his lunch with clients, fellow attorneys and friends. 

David was a gifted athlete in several sports before choosing to focus on baseball in college.  He earned Division 1 All-America honors and was selected to the Brown University Athletic Hall of Fame. After moving to Rochester in 1968 he enjoyed playing fast pitch baseball, slow pitch softball, flag football and golf and many of his teammates remained his closest friends.  He was a loyal Boston Red Sox fan and enjoyed many games at Fenway Park.  David had a great eye for photography and enjoyed capturing the moment by taking and developing his own pictures. 

David’s favorite hobby was music and he was an avid record collector. At one time he owned two juke boxes which he filled with choice 45’s from his legendary record collection.  David was the co-founder of the acapella doo-wop group the Showvinistics which published two award winning albums and opened for a “Who’s Who” of Rock and Roll, including the Beach Boys, the Temptations, Chuck Berry, Frankie Avalon, Chubby Checker, Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge, the Isely Brothers and the Neville Brothers among others.  The group performed at Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, sang our national anthem live at Jacobs Field, Camden Yards, and Buffalo Bills Stadium, and entertained countless guests at various Rochester venues & private parties.

David’s passion was his family and he was a loving, giving husband, father and grandfather. Those who knew him also knew all about his kids and grandkids as he never failed to share stories about them. He was the master of the “family meeting” technique of resolving conflict, a tradition his sons have carried on with their families. He taught everyone how to communicate clearly, acknowledge a mistake, apologize and hug it out.  

David was a great “boy dad”, role model, mentor, youth coach and counselor.  He was a proud GrandPa who delighted in his grandchildren’s accomplishments in academics, athletics, dance, gymnastics, music and photography.  He enjoyed playing cards and games with them, and telling them all about their fathers. 

We will dearly miss his enthusiasm and smile, his wisdom and sense of humor, his stories and hugs. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to The Williston Northampton School, www.williston.com or The Mario St. George Boiardi Foundation, www.boiardifoundation.org or to a charity of your choice. 

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