Age 73, of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, April 26, 2016.Born in Philadelphia, PA, Joe was the son of the late Joseph A. and Mary Rita (Errera) DeLuca. He served his country proudly in the US Marine Corps during the Vietnam War as a corporal. He graduated from Widener with a degree in Chemistry. He worked as a chemist for Scott Paper Company before his retirement. After retirement, he worked at the DuPont Company, AAA Mid-Atlantic and the State of Delaware. Joe loved to visit Longwood Gardens with Pat; he enjoyed spending time at the Jersey Shore with his brothers and attending his grandchildrens' sporting events. He was an avid Philadelphia sports fan, cheering on the Eagles, Phillies, and Flyers. Joe was a member of St. John the Beloved parish serving as a Eucharistic Minister and volunteered his time at Emily P. Bissell hospital.Joe will be dearly missed by his wife of 30 years, Mary Patricia (McNutt) DeLuca; his sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph A. and Michell DeLuca of Pennsylvania and Mark R. and Diana DeLuca of Newark, DE; his daughter and son-in-law, Catharine A. DeLuca and Mark Dure-Smith of California; his step-son and daughter-in-law, Michael J. and Lisa Kwiatkowski of Hockessin, DE; eleven grandchildren, Cassi, Heather, Holly, Logan, Addy, Mason, Riley, Sawyer, Izzy, Adrian and Xavier. Also surviving are two brothers, Thomas DeLuca and John DeLuca and his wife, Paula.Friends and family are invited to visitation on Saturday, April 30th between 9:30 and 10:30 AM at Mealey Funeral Home, 2509 Limestone Road, Wilmington. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. John the Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington at 11 AM. Burial will be private.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000 Dept.142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908 or Vietnam Veterans of America, 8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910.Condolences may be left at MealeyFuneralHomes.com (302) 652-5913