Joseph John DeLuca, Jr.

Joseph John DeLuca, Jr. died unexpectedly at his home on July 20, 2026, at age 79. Joe was born on March 28, 1947, to Joseph and Mafalda (Ruta) DeLuca at the Newport, RI Naval Hospital. His father was a proud Marine, and Joe and his brothers, Francis and Mark, and their sister, Christine, lived in Jacksonville, NC while his father served at Camp Lejeune. Joe attended Infant of Prague Catholic School, where his mother was a teacher. After the family moved to Plattsburgh, NY, Joe graduated from high school from the former St. John’s Academy. The family lived in a one-hundred-year-old home which sparked Joe’s love for tinkering and renovation.

A lifelong Catholic, Joe entered the Jesuits at the former Bellarmine Seminary on the shores of Lake Champlain and continued his studies at Boston College in the New England Province. After five years of formation, he discerned a different path before ordination to the priesthood.

Joe returned to North Carolina and worked at the Durham Herald while attending law school at N.C. Central University in Durham, NC. He opened a private law practice in Garner, and in 1990 he moved to state government. There he was able to put his legal expertise, attention to detail, and readiness to debate to good use with the N.C. Office of Administrative Hearings Rules Review Commission. After 24 years of dedicated public service, he had the words “Joe DeLuca retires…state agencies sigh with relief!” emblazoned on the cups for his retirement party.

It was after passing the Bar Exam and while working at the Durham Herald that Joe finally met his match, Roberta Mitchell. Their courtship began with discussion of his wingtip shoes at a party both had planned to skip, but the wheels were set in motion. Joe and Roberta married on April 9, 1983, and moved to Raleigh a few years later. They welcomed their first child, Sara, in 1988. Sara gained a brother when they adopted five-year-old Kaz from Lithuania in 1995. More than a decade later they all welcomed Raimis, Kaz’s biological brother, also from Lithuania, at age 13. This completed their family.

As the years went by, Joe developed many varied hobbies including photography, gardening, cooking, and a new-found love of travel after retiring. When he wasn’t steaming oysters, Joe was ready at a moment’s notice to clean, pick, and devour freshly cooked Maryland blue crab seasoned with Old Bay. When he and Roberta and the family made wonderful memories as homeowners at Hyco Lake, Joe enjoyed time on the water (but not in it). There, Joe also delved into his “drone phase” capturing lakeside aerial footage.

Joe had a fulfilling career, but he was most proud of his role as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed time with each member of the family, providing guidance, encouragement, and unending support in his own way. Monikers for Joe included GuyNChrg (to Roberta’s GalNChrg), South African Tourism Chief, the Rules Czar, Giuseppe the Grill Master, and his favorite of all, Poppy. Joe loved well and was well loved by his family and wide circle friends and will be sorely missed.

Joe is predeceased by his parents and brother, Mark DeLuca. 

He is survived by his treasured wife of 43 years, Roberta DeLuca; daughter Sara DeLuca of Raleigh; son Kaz DeLuca and his wife Kourtni of Statesboro, GA; and son Raimis DeLuca of Raleigh.  Joe is also survived by brother Francis DeLuca and his wife Cynthia of Wilmington; sister Christine Davis of Haines, AK; his grandchildren Zake and Abrealin of Statesboro, GA; his sister-in-law Kathy Coupland of Wilmington; brother-in-law Hal Mitchell and his wife Candy of Fort Oglethorpe, GA; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Joe’s life will be celebrated with a Memorial Mass at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 2718 Overbrook Drive Raleigh, NC 27608. The family will receive guests from 12:15 pm - 1:00 pm in the Church Atrium with a reception to follow in the Fallon Center.

Charitable donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made in Joe’s memory to ACESJU at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia (giving.sju.edu/acesju). This program supports teachers and students in Catholic Education. You may also honor him by supporting a charity of your choice.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, is serving the DeLuca family.