Richard J. Deluccia

On Thursday morning, November 14, 2024, Mr. Richard “R.J.” DeLuccia, a lifelong Schenectady/Rotterdam resident and funeral director, passed away peacefully after being blessed with 92 wonderful years on earth.

Richard was born on September 28, 1932, the youngest son of the late Vincent and Constance DeLuccia.  He received his education in Schenectady schools and took part in a college academic course in 1951.  Always proud of his country, he went on to serve with the United States Army (enlisting on December 5, 1952) eventually becoming an Army Medic in 1953.  He attended Medical Field Service School at Brooke General Hospital, Fort Sam, Houston, Texas.  He was a Cadre Instructor, Materia Medica at Brooke General, before returning to Schenectady.  He received an honorable discharge on November 16, 1954, holding the rank of CPL.

Because of his impeccable people skills and passion to help others, Richard excelled in funeral service and was an accomplished funeral director by trade, graduating from Simmons School of Mortuary Science in 1952.  He was very knowledgeable and well respected in his field of expertise and developed many close professional relationships throughout his long funeral director career.  He served his funeral service apprenticeship at Fairchild and Meech Funeral Chapel in Syracuse from 1955 until receiving his funeral director license in July of 1956.  He began his career in 1956 as an embalmer with Fairchild Sons, Inc., Brooklyn, NY and was the supervising embalmer for New York Funeral Service Co., Inc., beginning that role in 1959 and in 1964 became the Senior, Chief Embalmer/Manager.  In 1975, Richard proudly registered the R.J. DeLuccia Funeral Director service in Schenectady, retiring just a few short years ago from the business. He operated his business from DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, Rotterdam for many years stemming from his lifelong friendship with Michael DeMarco, Sr. and the DeMarco family.

He attended the College Proficiency Examination Program which focused on personal health-physical/emotional aspects, and the medical-surgical nursing program (all for personal satisfaction).  Richard was a member of the New York State Funeral Director Association, joining in 1975 and the British Institute of Embalmers, of Bristol, England, joining in 1962. He excelled as a teacher in funeral service teaching the American Academy-McAllister Institute of Funeral Service Embalming Theory Program in 1965 and taught the Hudson Valley Community College Embalming Theory and Practice Program from 1973-1975.  He was a master embalmer. Richard was so very proud of the students he taught and even more proud to see them succeed in the funeral business.

Besides his beloved parents, Vincent and Constance, Richard was preceded in death by his brothers (whom Richard loved dearly), Donald, Frank, Anthony and Peter DeLuccia.  He leaves his loving niece, Joanne Von Stetina (Michael) of Florida who called her uncle every Sunday and never missed sending an arrangement to him on the Holidays.  He also leaves his caretaker Laura Kulbako and her family of Rotterdam; dear friends, Susan Daly, Billy Sterling of Schenectady and Daniel Enea of Little Falls.  His four-legged companion, Benny, brought him tremendous joy in recent years.

Richard enjoyed life to the fullest and was truly one of a kind.  He was a proud Italian and always honored the Italian traditions.  A man of class and character, you rarely saw him NOT wearing a suit and always presented himself in a cool, collected manner.  Some of his favorite things were his regular meals/lunches at the Edgewood Restaurant with the Adamec family, the 99 Restaurant, Ferraris Ristorante, summers at his Mariaville Lake camp where he hosted numerous gatherings for friends over the years and of course the many good memories made at his pub, Matt’s Grill that he owned and operated for many years.  He was a good friend, mentor and confidante to many and was always happy to share the wealth of knowledge he learned throughout the years of teaching and managing funeral homes.  The community and funeral business were well served by Richard.  He gave generously to local organizations and charities and could always be seen patronizing local businesses, especially at Stewarts or one of Schenectady’s famous Italian restaurants.  He was of the Catholic faith.

Relatives and friends are invited and may pay their respects to Richard and his family at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam on Monday, November 25, 2024, from 9:30-11 am.  His funeral service will commence at 11 am (on Monday, Nov. 25) at the funeral home chapel with Father Richard Carlino, officiating.  Procession will follow to St. Cyril’s Cemetery where Richard will be laid to rest and military honors will be offered by the United States Army.  We will all miss Richard so very much.  He was a true gentleman, passionate about his career and conducted his business in a way that cultivated relationships that lasted a lifetime.  He always had a story to share and left us with many lasting memories in our hearts. Please visit www.demarcostonefuneralhome.com to offer condolences and share memories.  Richards family would like to thank Dr. Aniko Fellegi and his nurse, Rachel, for the impeccable in-home care they provided through the Veterans Administration Network. Kindly consider memorial offerings in his name to the Albany Veterans Administration or to Community Hospice of Albany.