Frank M. DeLuca

Frank M. DeLuca, 101, Decorated WWII Veteran and Beloved Family Man

September 29, 1923 - September 14, 2025

Frank M. DeLuca, 101, a proud veteran of the United States Army and a devoted husband, father, and friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at Bridgeway Care and Rehabilitation Center in Hillsborough, New Jersey.

Born and raised in Elizabeth, NJ, Frank was the cherished son of the late Andrew and Dora DeLuca. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1942. Despite having an appointment to West Point Academy, Frank chose instead to volunteer for active service in the U.S. Army in the fall of 1942.

He trained at Camp Davis in North Carolina, Camp Gordon in Georgia, and Orlando Air Base, before shipping out from New York aboard the S.S. Ile de France. His service took him through Glasgow, Southampton, and Le Havre, before reaching the front lines in Germany as part of the 94th Infantry Division.

During the Battle of the Bulge, Frank was among the replacements for the heavy casualties suffered by General Patton’s Third Army. On March 13, 1945, while attempting to eliminate a German machine gun nest near the Black Forest, he was struck by sniper fire, shattering his shoulder. Frank lay wounded in the cold until medics could safely reach him. Even as he was being evacuated, his convoy came under German mortar fire, but he ultimately made it to a field hospital. He underwent surgery and spent several months recovering in hospitals in France and England before returning to the U.S. via hospital ship. He completed his recovery at a military hospital in Butler, Pennsylvania and was honorably discharged on September 20, 1945.

For his extraordinary courage and sacrifice, Frank was awarded numerous military honors, including the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was recently awarded the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. Frank also had the honor of being the Grand Marshall in the Franklin Township Memorial Day Parade 2025. Frank was among the final 1% of surviving WWII veterans—a living link to a pivotal chapter in history.

Following his military service, Frank began what would be a long career in the brewery industry. He was first employed by Ballantine and later worked for Rheingold. He ended his career working for Anheuser-Busch in Newark, NJ. He retired in 1995 after 50 years of employment in the industry. A proud member of the Teamsters Local Union 843, he brought the same commitment and sense of duty to his work as he did to his service.

After Frank and Genevieve were married, they resided in Rahway for two years, then moved to Clark where they remained for 42 years before moving to Canal Walk in Somerset in 2007. Frank was known for his quiet strength, humility, his warm smile, and deep love for his family and friends.

Frank was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #3310, the Disabled War Veterans #14 post, the Canal Walk Veterans Club, and a member of the Gran Centurions, Clark.

He was predeceased by his beloved parents, Andrew and Dora DeLuca;  his beloved sister, Antoinette DeCaprio; and brother-in-law, Nicholas DeCaprio.

Frank is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Genevieve (Corvelli) DeLuca of Somerset; his three devoted daughters: Andrea DeLuca of Clifton, Michele Giacobbe and her husband Kenneth A. of Somerset, and Donna Marie DeLuca-Whitsitt and her husband Richard A. of Somerset. He is also survived by his nephews, Richard DeCaprio, Michael Colicchio, Tom Colicchio,  Phil Colicchio, and sister-in-law, Beverly Colicchio; along with extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Bridgewater Funeral Home, 707 East Main Street, Bridgewater, NJ. A prayer service will be offered at 8:30 AM on Saturday at the funeral home, followed by a 9:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph’s Church in Hillsborough. Frank will be laid to rest with full military honors at St. Gertrude’s Cemetery in Colonia.

Frank M. DeLuca lived a life marked by courage, commitment, and love. His legacy will endure in the hearts of those who knew him and in the freedoms he helped secure for future generations.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation or obtain a special mass card in his honor from St. Joseph’s Parish in East Millstone/Hillsborough.

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