Orlando George "Lucky" De Luca

Orlando G. DeLuca, a.k.a. “Lucky”, was born in Italy on May 28, 1927, emigrated to the U.S. at the young age of eight, and became a U.S. citizen when he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1945, where he served as a PFC Supply Clerk. He left this earth due to natural causes on October 14, 2015. Married to Monica Gomez DeLuca, FL for the past 65 years, Lucky was preceded in death by his two sons, Mark Jon DeLuca, FL (1993) and Orlando “Landy” DeLuca, SC (2006) as well as his daughter-in-law, Debbie Reeves DeLuca, SC (2015). An avid bowler and Jaguars fan, Lucky could be seen hobknobbing with the best of Jacksonville on the weekends, or simply just twiddling a way in his yard with his “interesting” garden displays. He always had a story to tell about a famous sportscaster, athlete, or actor he knew and the pictures to prove it – which he’d show you on at least several occasions. A stranger to no one, Lucky squeezed a lot out of life – taking advantage of numerous opportunities to be cast as an extra or “model” for Hollywood or local productions filmed in Jacksonville. Having moved for his work - as a quality control inspector supervisor in the field of aerospace dynamics - from Connecticut to Arkansas, Nebraska, South Carolina, and North Carolina, he finally settled in Jacksonville, FL where he has lived for the last 3 decades. Lucky’s last profession as a security guard – which he worked at until he was 81 years old – fit him to a “T” with its opportunities of supervising (and socializing) at events such as Jaguar games and the TPC. Lucky worked at Memorial Hospital for several years, as well, where the staff all became an extension of his network of friends and “fans”. Fittingly, this is where he said goodbye to this life. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Monica Gomez DeLuca, FL; children Donna Jarrell (Joe Allen), SC; Robin (Kurt) Jones, FL; and Joe DeLuca, FL. Known affectionately as “Papa”, he is survived by 8 grandkids: Kymm (Mike) Cothren, FL; Stevie (April) Jarrell, SC; Tarah (Scott) Armstrong, GA; Rob (Liz) Reynolds, SC; Bambi (Roland) Murwin, FL; Stacey (Jared) Tyler, SC; Danielle Jarrell, SC; and Diamond Walker, FL. He is also survived by 10 great-grandkids who were blessed to know and love him: Marnie, Noah, and Zoe Reynolds, SC; Morgan and “Landy” Murwin, FL; Sarah Grace Cothren, FL; Jacob and Parker, SC; Cayla Jarrell, SC, and Emerson Tyler, SC. Lucky will be missed by many loving neighbors and community members, as well, many of whom became “family” to him. His zest for life enabled him to have a full life and his presence will be missed by all that knew and loved him. Funeral services will be held tomorrow, October 23rd at 1pm at the National Cemetery 4813 Lannie Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32218. A memorial and reception in his honor will be held Saturday, October 24th from 5 to 8pm at the American Legion 1127 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, FL 32233. All are welcome to come honor and remember him.