Patsy Deluca
Age - 89
December 6, 2023
Patsy DeLuca Obituary Patsy James DeLuca, 89, of Steubenville Ohio, died surrounded by family on Saturday, December 02, 2023. He was born July 9, 1934, in Clarksburg, West Virginia to the late Pasquale DeLuca and Anne (Maiocco) DeLuca. Patsy was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Rachel (Taggart) DeLuca of Toronto OH, his sister Lucy (DeLuca) Grandillo of Dayton OH, and his brother Phil DeLuca of Cambridge, OH. Patsy is survived by four children: Rick DeLuca, Ron DeLuca, Dan DeLuca, and Karen Crawford. Nine grandchildren: (Rick & Luisa DeLuca) Patrick (Cassandra) DeLuca, Erika (Nick) Coppola, and Raylene DeLuca; (Dan & Renee DeLuca) Daniel DeLuca, Anthony DeLuca and Julia DeLuca; (Karen & Michael Crawford) Kelsey Crawford, Sydney Crawford, and Haley Crawford. Five great-grandchildren: Hartley DeLuca, Hensley DeLuca, Jaxon DeLuca, Sophia Coppola, and Leela Coppola. He graduated from Catholic Central High School (CCHS) in 1952, earned his B. S. in Business Administration from the College of Steubenville (Now Franciscan University) in 1956, and completed the Environmental Engineering program from the University of Cincinnati in 1977. Patsy started off his work life at "The Hub" in Steubenville. Anyone who knew him, heard his stories of his time there. In his youth, he was a special altar server to Bishop John King Mussio for 3+ years, and over the years became a lifetime friend of the Bishop and many priests. Patsy served in the U. S Army Reserves from 1956 - 1962, and he was a sales representative for Colgate Palmolive Company from 1959-1967. He was a pioneer of the environmental protection movement in Ohio. He started the first Air Quality Control office in Ohio in 1970. He expanded the organization to six Ohio counties in 1974 and founded the North Ohio Valley Air Authority (N. O. V. A. A). He became a nationally recognized expert in the field, had numerous local and national TV appearances, and made the front cover of LIFE magazine in 1977 for his efforts in air pollution control. Patsy led NOVAA and held high level office positions with the state government until his retirement in 1995. His life of service to his community spanned over fifty years. He was the moving force that created and enhanced many athletic and fraternity organizations of the Ohio Valley. He received 30+ awards recognizing his hard work and dedication to others. Patsy's most cherished awards included his induction into the class of 2020 CCHS Hall of Fame, and the 1988 Franciscan University Alumni Citizenship Award from Fr. Scanlon. At the College of Steubenville (Franciscan University), he was the leader of the Alpha Phi Delta fraternity for 15+ years. He served as president during his college days, then as alumni club president for 10 years and was an active member into the 2000's. Patsy was best known for his 40+ years of service to CCHS and the local catholic community. He spearheaded the creation of many athletic programs, athletic leagues, and the CCHS practice field and facilities. He not only initiated these programs, but also gave countless hours of his time to ensure their success. These programs positively impacted numerous youths over decades. A sampling of the roles he held: Athletic Director: Catholic Parochial Sports league, West Catholic, St Pius X school, Aquinas school, Junior Crusaders Board of Directors: YMCA, Red Cross, Dapper Dan Charities, CCHS Athletics, Community Chest Drive, Save the Barons, Jeffersonian Lodge, CCHS Boosters club President: CCHS Booster Club Patsy was also well known for organizing fun events to raise money for local churches and athletics. Over the years he held St. Patrick Day dances, New Year's Eve Dances, Columbus Day events, CCHS fundraisers, Alpha Phi Delta picnics, and Parochial League fundraisers. His last major contribution to athletics of the Ohio Valley was the founding and running (15+ years) of the Tri-State Athletic League & Complex. He was ahead of his time with both men's and women's softball and volleyball leagues in the 1970's. If running the leagues was not enough, he also ran a wedding catering business. Over 400+ couples will remember the grand time they had at their wedding catered by Patsy and the Tri-State team. The DeLuca family would like to give special thanks to our dad's caregivers, neighbors, and close friends who supported him during the last few years of his life. The family will receive friends Friday, December 8, 2023, from 4-7 PM at Mosti Funeral Home, 4435 Sunset Blvd. Steubenville, Ohio. The funeral mass will be held Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 9:30 AM at Blessed Sacrament Church, 852 Main St. Wintersville, Ohio. The funeral mass will be celebrated by Fr. Michael Gossett, Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church, and co-celebrated with Fr. Daniel Millisor, Chaplain of Ohio Dominican University. Immediately following the mass, Burial Services will be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Steubenville. Friends and family are invited to share a light lunch following the Cemetery service at the Florian Hall in Wintersville. Patsy was not a man big on gifts or flowers. However, he was a lifelong advocate and fund raiser for his alma mater, Catholic Central High School (CCHS), where he supported athletics and recently CCHS Band (his last CCHS event was watching his granddaughter Haley perform at the CCHS Varsity show). Please, instead of flowers or gifts, continue his tradition of supporting CCHS Athletics and Band and make a donation in his memory. Offer condolences, www. mostifuneralhome. com Read MoreShow more
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